Abilene, Texas – No. 2 Howard Payne and No. 1 Hardin-Simmons women's basketball teams advance to the 2025-26 American Southwest Conference Championship game after wins on Friday afternoon at Hardin-Simmons in Abilene.
Howard Payne 60, East Texas Baptist 58 | Box Score
Game one of the women’s semifinals featured a back-and-forth battle between No. 2 Howard Payne and No. 3 East Texas Baptist.
HPU came out firing, opening the game with a three-pointer from Hope Hermesmeyer followed by another from Azaylee Santos to build early momentum. ETBU answered quickly, rallying late in the first quarter to tie the game at 13-13.
Hermesmeyer led the way for HPU in the second quarter as both teams traded runs. ETBU closed the half strong, but HPU maintained a narrow 22-20 advantage at the break. At halftime, Hermesmeyer led all scorers with 12 points, followed by ETBU’s Macey Jones with nine.
Coming out of halftime, the teams continued the back-and-forth momentum swings. ETBU increased their defensive intensity and used a 9-0 run to seize control. Back-to-back three-pointers from Amaris Ambriz kept HPU within striking distance, but a buzzer-beating three from ETBU’s Tristian Smith gave the Tigers a 39-37 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Ambriz opened the final frame with a three-pointer from the top of the key, sparking a 7-0 run by HPU. The teams continued to exchange baskets, with HPU holding a slim 49-48 edge midway through the quarter. With 2:19 remaining, ETBU tied the contest at 52-52 following second-chance points off two offensive rebounds. Hannah Ayala led the way on the glass for the Tigers, finishing with 13 rebounds.
Despite the ETBU push, Caitlyn Panuco delivered at the free-throw line, converting key attempts down the stretch, including two with 5.25 seconds remaining to give HPU the lead. After ETBU pulled within two late, Panuco’s clutch free throws put HPU ahead 60-58. A steal by Caitlyn Parsons in the final seconds sealed the victory for the Yellow Jackets.
Hardin-Simmons 69, Mary Hardin-Baylor 55 | Box Score
Game two of the women’s semifinals featured No. 1 Hardin-Simmons taking on No. 4 Mary Hardin-Baylor in a competitive matchup between two familiar conference foes.
Mary Hardin-Baylor struck first with a three-pointer from Bruder, but Hardin-Simmons answered immediately with a triple from Abbie Crow to set the tone early. The Cowgirls held a narrow 9-8 advantage at the first media timeout and closed the period with a 15-13 lead.
In the second quarter, Jacqueline Berry picked up her second foul early, but Hardin-Simmons maintained momentum. MaeSyn Gay sparked the Cowgirls with two key baskets and a block to extend the lead to 21-17. The Cru responded behind Karlee Cronk, who knocked down a three-pointer to pull UMHB within one at the second quarter media timeout. HSU held the 30-26 lead at the half.
Coming out of the break, Berry opened the third quarter with a strong score to extend the HSU lead. Hardin-Simmons quickly found their rhythm from beyond the arc, as Abbie Crow drained two three-pointers to push the lead to 38-30 and force a UMHB timeout. The Cowgirls continued to build separation with a balanced offensive attack, but Mary Hardin-Baylor battled to stay within reach as the quarter closed with HSU leading 51-42.
In the fourth, Rachel Okoye converted an and-one opportunity to cut the deficit to 51-45. The Cru followed with defensive stops to pull within four with eight minutes remaining. Cronk again delivered from deep, hitting a three-pointer to trim the HSU lead to just one with 5:49 to play. A late shot-clock three from Tayley Bullen provided breathing room for the Cowgirls heading into the final media timeout and in the closing minute, Berry came up with a steal to extend the lead to 63-50. Despite a late effort from Amillion Fowler, Hardin-Simmons secured the win as Caroline Croft knocked down two free throws to make the final margin 65-52.
No. 1 Hardin-Simmons and No. 2 Howard Payne will face in the ASC Championship on Saturday, February 28th at 2:00 p.m. in Abilene.
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