BROWNWOOD, Texas - Facing another stiff test from an American Southwest Conference West Division team, the East Texas Baptist University women's basketball team survived a hard-fought game escaping with a 69-63 win over Howard Payne University. At 14-0, ETBU has tied a program record for the longest winning streak in history alongside the 2006-07 squad and continues their historic start.

ETBU was ignited by Kaia Williams 15 points to lead the team. Kenidi White came off the bench to score 11 points while the Stephens sisters of Mallory (10 points) and Grace (eight points) combined for 18 points. Mallory also finished with four assists while Taylor Singleton recorded a game-high five steals. Bria Neal (18 points) and Chelsey Harris (15 points) took command of HPU.

Outshot by the Yellow Jackets (42.6%-37.5%), the Tigers did finish with more three-pointers (33.3%-29.2%) and a higher free-throw percentage (60.0%-50.0%). Their bench keyed them in the win our scoring HPU, 26-16, while also out rebounding HPU, 44-36. ETBU's second chance points also led to the win as they outscored HPU, 27-12.

ETBU's starting five opened the contest with an 11-2 run (9:29-7:00) as Mallory Stephens netted six points during the stretch while Williams (9:29) and Hudson (8:18) also tallied buckets. The Yellow Jackets would close the gap to 13-9 with 4:59 to go. ETBU would then put up a strong finish scoring the final eight points. Bridget Upton's lay-up (3:58) was followed Grace Stephens free throws (3:29) and a classing basket by White put ETBU up, 21-9, after one quarter.

HPU would apply pressure to start the second quarter with a 9-3 run (10:00-5:26) as ETBU's only response was a Williams' three. Yet, Williams would ignite a 13-1 run (5:09-2:45) scoring five points along with White (3:23, 2:45), which brought the score to 37-19. HPU did cut the margin to 39-26 entering halftime.

After Williams started the second half with a jumper, ETBU would convert free throws to push their lead up to 47-32. The Tigers would suffer their worst field goal shooting percentage quarter of the game making only 22.2% from the field as the Yellow Jackets capitalized on that to pull closer to the Tigers. HPU scored one more point than ETBU (17-16) in the quarter but were still trailing by a 12-point margin, 55-43.

The fourth quarter saw HPU score 10 straight points (9:32-6:36) to trail 55-53. However, Hanna Hudson (6:08) and Singleton (5:36) answered with five straight points to lead by seven (5:36), 60-53. The Yellow Jackets answered with another three to trail by four, but in the final moments each of the Stephens sisters would step up with big time three's beginning with Grace (4:01) to push the lead to 63-56. With the score 65-61, Mallory Stephens would deliver the dagger with a three at the 1:41 mark, 68-61. ETBU held onto that lead and walked off the court with a 69-63 win.

ETBU will begin a three-game home stretch next week with a Thursday night contest against Louisiana College at 5:30 PM.