RICHARDSON, TX (01.02.16) - The No. 22-ranked UT Dallas women's basketball team shot a season-low 23.6 percent from the field as the Comets were handed their first home loss of the season, a 68-57 defeat by Howard Payne in American Southwest Conference play Saturday afternoon.

The Comets (now 7-2, 1-1 ASC) hit just 17-of-72 shots from the field and shot just 65.6 percent (21-of-32) from the foul line as they suffered their worst home loss since the 2012-13 campaign. UTD will look to bounce back Monday afternoon as the Comets host Sul Ross State, also in ASC play. Game time is 12 p.m. at the UTD Activity Center.

Micaela Gonzalez was the long bright spot for the Comets for the majority of the contest as she finished the game with 18 points and four rebounds in the losing effort. Gonzales was 7-for-19 from the field and 3-of-6 from the free-throw line. UTD entered the fourth period trailing the Lady Jackets (now 3-8, 1-2 ASC), 59-34, but finished the game with a 23-9 fourth frame. Alyssa Crockett lifted the Comets in the final period, scoring all 10 of her points in the final 10 minutes, as she joined Gonzalez in double figures.

HPU grabbed a slim one-point lead, 14-13, at the end of the first period, and then used a 23-7 explosion in the second 10 minutes to snag a 37-20 lead at the intermission. The Lady Jackets then outscored UTD 22-14 in the third frame, extending their lead to as many as 27 points in the period before the Comets began their late rally.

The Comets were just 2-of-14 (14.3%) from three-point range and were out-rebounded by HPU, 49-43. UTD did force 35 Lady Jacket turnovers, collecting 16 steals.

For the Lady Jackets, Danyel Bradley finished with a game-high 22 points to lead three HPU players in double figures. Yessenia Cazares finished with 12 points while Jessica Leaks came off the bench for 10 points. Bradley recorded a "double-double", adding a game-high 11 rebounds.