With a comeback that would have been an astonishing chapter to the storied season for the LeTourneau University women's basketball team came up short in an 82-75 loss to Howard Payne University in the American Southwest Conference Tournament semifinals.

LeTourneau (17-10) entered the third quarter behind 65-48 and as much as 18 in the fourth quarter before a 20-4 run cut the deficit to two, 75-73 with 1:33 left to play.

Howard Payne (18-9) junior Jessica Leaks hit her second 3-pointer of the game after a turnover by LETU that put HPU ahead 78-73 with 1:05 to play that ended the comeback hopes for LETU. Leaks finished the game with 16 points as HPU landed three players in double figures including senior Danyel Bradley, who had a game-high 34 points and junior Sarahi Castillo added 13.

"We didn't get the result we wanted, tonight. But, I am so proud of the fight in this team," said LeTourneau University head coach Leslie Reinecker. "They battled until the very end and left it all on the court. The future is very bright for this group. We made a lot of history, this season and it was a fantastic ride."

Junior Crystal Jones finished with a team-high 18 points and tied a season-high with nine rebounds to lead LETU and three players in double figures. Senior Ashley Stephens ended her career with her seventh double double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Plus, junior LaTanya Drakes had 19 points and game-high 15 rebounds for her eighth double double.

Bradley put Howard Payne ahead with her first of two 3-pointers with 6:51 left in the opening quarter for a 9-6 lead. HPU remained in front for the rest of the first half, holding LETU to 24 points in the first 20 minutes. The 24 points were the second-lowest output of the season for LeTourneau. Twice, in the second quarter, HPU managed to stretch the lead to as much as 18.

Despite the double-digit deficit, there remained a lot of fight within the LETU roster. A 3-point play by Drakes midway through the fourth quarter started a rally for LETU, who would eventually cut the deficit to two.

The loss ends the season for LeTourneau, who reached the ASC Tournament just for the third time in program history.