RICHARDSON, TX (11.30.17) - The UT Dallas women's basketball team used an 8-0 run to open the second half to erase a two-point halftime deficit en route to a 67-57 home win over Howard Payne Thursday night in the American Southwest Conference openers for both squads.

The Comets got a game-high 26 points from Victoria Pena, hitting 10-of-15 shots from the field, while Madison Steele finished with 19 points as the duo combined for 45 of UTD's 67 points.

Down 31-29 at intermission, Pena used a quick three-point play on the Comets' opening possession to give UTD the lead and the home team never looked back as the Comets shot 48.1 percent (13-of-20) from the field over the final two quarters. The Comets owned the boards against HPU, 32-35, and forced 23 Yellow Jacket turnovers, 12 in the second half.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
The Comets finished the night shooting 42.9 percent (24-of-56) from the field, hitting just 2-of-9 three-pointers (22.2%), and hit 17-of-26 free throws (65.4%).

KEY PERFORMERS
Pena led the Comets in scoring for the fifth straight game to open the season, now averaging a team-best 18.4 points per outing. Pena's 26 points is a career high for the sophomore, eclipsing her previous high of 19 as a freshman. Steele's 19 points is a season high as well.

Steele led the Comets with eight rebounds while Steele, Boushey and McKenzie each had three assists.

NEXT GAME
The Comets (4-1, 1-0 ASC) return to action Saturday afternoon as they host Sul Ross State in another ASC game. Tip-off is 2 p.m. at the UTD Activity Center.