Feb. 9, 2008

Final Stats

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team broke a brief two-game losing streak with a 69-62 win over Howard Payne in American Southwest Conference action Saturday at the Mabee Complex.

Starting for the first time in 10 games, team co-captain Charlie Pannell broke out of a prolonged shooting slump by hitting three first-half 3-pointers. He finished the day with 17 points. Junior guard Rob Yeatts led the Cowboys with 19 points.

A week ago, Mardochee Jean dominated the interior against Howard Payne, but in this game the Jackets doubled and tripled him when he got the ball and it was key for the Cowboys' other players to hit shots. Jean had six assists to go along with 11 points and 15 rebounds.

The Cowboys closed the firs half on a big run that gave them a halftime lead of 42-30. HSU trailed 26-25 with 5:52 to go in the half, but closed on a 17-4 run. Yeatts had a pair of 3-pointers, Steven Luckey had a 3-point play and Tony Mataya hit a 3-pointer in the run.

HPU never got the lead inside five points, until a Brock Woods 3-pointer with 1:14 made it 66-62. Jean then hit 3-of-4 free throws in the final minute for the Cowboys after desperation 3-pointer by HPU came up short.

Gary Thompson led five HPU players in double figures with 14 points.

HSU is now 12-9 on the year and 11-6 in league play. HPU fell to 11-10 overall and 9-8 in league play.