BROWNWOOD, Texas - A tremendous effort by the McMurry University women's basketball team went for naught when Howard Payne University converted a late three-point basket and take a 66-65 decision at the Brownwood Coliseum. The loss dropped the War Hawks to 4-12, while HPU improved to 8-8 on the year.
 
Even after HPU's Jessica Leaks canned the three-ball with five seconds left, McM still had on final chance for the win.  The War Hawks quickly advanced the ball and - with one second left - Haley Welch missed a layup, with teammate Taylor Russell grabbing the rebound when the clock expired.
 
Even prior to that, McMurry had an opportunity to salt away the win. With 10 seconds to play, McM inbounded the ball at midcourt, with Sham Hunter receiving the pass. Hunter was immediately fouled and went to the line with her team up 65-63 at the time. Hunter could not convert either charity toss and the Lady Jackets grabbed the rebound that preceded the game-winning bucket.
 
The setback also overshadowed another monster effort by Russell. Russell equaled her career-best in scoring, pouring in 26 points on a 10-for-19 shooting effort from the floor and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line. She was also credited with 10 rebounds - for her 11th double-double game of the season – and dished off three assists.
 
Russell has now tallied in double-figure scoring in 15-consecuitve contests, as well.
 
Freshman Chelsie Lail had 12 points – all in the first half – and hit 5-of-10 shot attempts from the floor. Lail had a team-leading four assists and a pair of steals.
 
After making just one basket in the first half, senior Sierra Maykus had a strong second to finish with nine points and five rebounds. Welch booked seven points.
 
Hunter matched Russell with 10 rebounds, while also chipping in six points. Freshman Amye Templeton scored five points to round out the McM offense.
 
Both teams shot well from the field. McMurry was 26-of-61 for a clip of nearly 43 percent.  The Lady Jackets were 25-of-59, good for 42.4 percent. HPU held a slight rebounding edge, 38-35, and the War Hawks forced the hosts into 16 turnovers.