19th-ranked Howard Payne University outscored Nebraska Wesleyan 36-17 in the first half and held on for a 70-59 victory over the Prairie Wolves in NCAA DIII Women's Basketball action on Monday afternoon (Dec. 29) at the University of Dallas Tournament in Irving, Texas.

Howard Payne, the defending NCAA DIII National Champions, outscored NWU 9-0 to close out the first half to take the 19-point lead into halftime.

NWU (2-8) scored 42 points in the second half and held HPU to only 34 points, but it wasn't enough for a comeback.

Freshman Shea Rasmussen had a huge day for the Prairie Wolves. The Longmont, Colo., native scored a career high 27 points including six made 3-pointers to lead NWU. She also added four steals and two rebounds.

Kelsie Woodard also reached double figures with 16 points as she was 7-10 from the floor and added four steals. Kristina Gould was the only other player with more than three points as she scored eight. Ashley Bordovsky dished out seven assists in the loss.

No Howard Payne starter reached double figures in points, but they had six players with at least seven points. Kelsey Miller led the way with 15 points, going 8-8 from the free throw line.

NWU will look to get back in the win column on Tuesday afternoon when they take on the host school, University of Dallas, at 3 pm.