The LeTourneau University women's basketball team wrote another chapter in its history with an 86-78 win over Hardin-Simmons in the American Southwest Conference Tournament Quarterfinals on Thursday in Tyler.
 
In just its third tournament appearance in program history, the YellowJackets picked up the first win for a LeTourneau University basketball team in ASC history. To achieve that success, LeTourneau followed its recipe for success – a strong inside and outside game – that has brought the YellowJackets back in the tournament for the third time in school history. The win improves LeTourneau to 17-9 on the 2015-16 season and its most wins on the season since a 24-win season in 1997-98.
 
LeTourneau was led by junior Crystal Jones and senior Ashley Stephens, who had 36 and 19 points, respectively. Stephens – who is one of four YellowJackets with tournament experience as a member of 2013-14 team that reached the ASC Tournament - pulled down 12 rebounds for her sixth double double of the season. The effort by Jones adds to her accomplishments in 2015-16 including 25 of 26 games in double figures, ten 20-point games, five 30-point games, 15 games with multiple 3-pointers, 12 games with at least three 3-pointers and five games with at least five 3-pointers.
 
The duo was joined in double figures by juniors Bria Goodman and LaTanya Drakes, who had 13 and 11 points, respectively.
 
Hardin-Simmons (11-15) was led by Heidi Schroeder and Kourtney Holyfield, who had 22 and 20 points, respectively.
 
After being held scoreless over the last 7:22 of the first half, LeTourneau scored six of the eight final points in the third quarter for a 57-56 lead. It was the first lead by LETU since the 5:50 mark of the second quarter.
 
Then, the YellowJackets handed the game over to the tandem of Jones and Stephens. The duo combined to outscore 26 of the YellowJackets' final 29 points as they outscore Hardin-Simmons by seven, 29-22. In the quarter, Jones scored 16 points, including a pair of 3-pointers and Stephens scored 10.
 
The Cowgirls managed to cut the deficit to four, 72-68 with 4:36 left in the contest, but a 10-2 spurt by LeTourneau ended the comeback hopes for Hardin-Simmons. In the spurt, Jones hit a pair of 3-pointers for the YellowJackets.
 
LeTourneau advances to Friday's semifinals to face Howard Payne, who defeated Texas Dallas, 80-73 in another quarterfinal matchup. 

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Head Coach Leslie Reinecker addresses the team in the locker room after the game.
  

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Post-Game Press Conference with Head Coach: Leslie Reinecker and Student-Athletes: Ashley Stephens and Crystal Jones