The Lady Crusaders used hot three-point shooting and solid defense to blow past the Lady Jackets 62-52. Unfortunately for the men, the Yellow Jackets exploded to shoot 51 percent in the second half en route to an 83-65 win over the Crusaders.
The UMHB women improved to 11-6 overall and 4-2 in American Southwest Conference West Division play while the men fell to 11-6, 3-3 in the ASC West.
UMHB women 62,
Howard Payne 52
Uncharacteristically, it was the shooting from behind the arc that pushed the Lady Crusaders to victory. But a stingy defensive effort didn’t hurt either.
UMHB, which averages 27 percent from three-point range, erupted to nail 8 of 10 from downtown on top of 47 percent shooting from the floor.
“The three pointers were the key, no question” UMHB coach Margie Williamson said.
LaTrice Hutchins posted a career-high 17 points — including five three pointers — for the Lady Crusaders and Lisa Martinez finished with 17 points and eight rebounds.
Despite a solid first half effort by the Lady Crusaders, the matchup was locked up at the half, 32-32. Then UMHB’s defense really started to kick in on top of the hot offensive production.
To start the second half, UMHB went on a quick run to go up by 10 and forced Howard Payne to take a timeout. The Lady Jackets (14-3, 4-2) would close back within four with a minute remaining, but big buckets by Martinez, Sally Hickerson and two free throws by Christian Tomlinson sealed the game.
UMHB’s defense allowed only 20 points — nine coming from free throws — in the second half, 27 percent shooting from the field and held only one Lady Jacket in double digits (Nicole Salzman 10 points).
“It was tough, but we played good defense and shot the ball well,” Williamson said. “This was one of the best 40 minute games that we’ve played this year. To be doing it on the road is a good thing for us — especially this time of year.”
Howard Payne 83,
UMHB men 65
All looked well for UMHB right before halftime as the game was tied. But then Howard Payne erupted to take and eight-point lead into the locker room. The Yellow Jackets picked up right where they left off at half by shooting 51 percent and leading by as many as 22. A late run by the Crusaders closed in the margin a bit.
