LONGVIEW, Texas- Despite their best offensive performance of the year, the LeTourneau University women's basketball team would be unable to get past Howard Payne University by a final score of 78-62 at Solheim Arena on Saturday, December 8th.

LETU drops to 1-7 overall and 0-4 in American Southwest Conference play while HPU moves to 4-5 overall and 1-1 in through two games of ASC action.

"We had a few more shots fall today than we have had in recent games but we didn't play as good of defense as we are capable of" said head coach Cassi Rozanski in a post-game interview. "We must find a way to be relentless and consistent on both ends of the floor for 40 minutes to see the results we would like."

How It Happened

• A sloppy start for both teams was displayed early as two turnovers by LeTourneau and one from Howard Payne led to a slow offensive start on both ends.
• HPU was able to break through and find the hoop first on a shot behind the arc to put them up 3-0 with 8:13 left in the first quarter before Sha'Donnaver Young answer with a three-point play for LETU to deadlock things at 3-3.
• LeTourneau would do their best to keep the ball game close in the opening 10 minutes of action as by responding to HPU's shots early in the quarter as both teams would endure a 2:30 scoring drought midway through the period.
• It would be Howard Payne who would end the drought and take a 14-8 lead before tacking on one final triple to end the quarter with the score 17-8 in favor of HPU.
• Chauntel Acosta would enter the second quarter on fire for LeTourneau as she would connect on two three-point field goals within the first minute of action to help pull LETU back within three at 17-14.
• The Hereford, Texas native would continue to take charge for LeTourneau by hitting one more triple to pull LETU within a single-possession at 19-17.
• Offensive rhythm for both squads continued to be shown throughout the final five minutes of the first half as Howard Payne would claim a 38-32 advantage at intermission.
• HPU would come out of the locker room and score the first points of the third period before allowing a 5-0 LETU run make the score 42-37 as LeTourneau would remain within striking distance.
• As the teams continued to exchange shots, HPU would lock down on defense to take a double-digit lead at 55-45 before seeing Jaila Leaven connect on a triple to end the third quarter with LETU trailing 55-48.
• Playing from behind eventually caught up to LeTourneau as LETU would be unable to close the gap due to an 8-0 run midway through the fourth quarter as HPU hold a 23-14 scoring advantage in the fourth to claim the win.

 
Key Stats

• Young led LETU with 16 points with Acosta following closely behind by posting a season-high 14 points.
• Alexandria Thorne recorded a team-high four assists while Keauna Whitfield added a team-high nine rebounds as LeTourneau held a 41-39 advantage in rebounds.
• LETU managed to shoot 31.7 percent (20-of-63) from the field, putting up a nearly identical performance in the second half (10-32 in the first half, 10-31 in the second half).
• HPU used the turnover ratio to their advantage as they turned their 21 forced turnovers to score 19 points while LETU only came away with eight points off 13 Howard Payne turnovers.

 
 
What's Next?
LeTourneau will step outside of ASC play as they travel to Dallas, Texas on Tuesday, December 11th to take on Dallas Christian College at 5:30 p.m. Dallas Christian College will enter Tuesday's game coming after winning their past two games to improve to 3-4 overall.