ABILENE, Texas  — Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team held off a pesky Louisiana College team 73-66 on Saturday evening in American Southwest Conference action at the Mabee Complex.

Hardin-Simmons jumped out of the blocks well outscoring LC 23-9 in the first 9:25 of the half but the Wildcats chipped away at the deficit and HSU took a 40-32 lead into the halftime locker room.

The Cowboys scored the first six points of the second half to open a 46-32 lead with 17:14 to play, but LC again responded and went on a 16-4 run to cut it to 50-48 with 12:02 to play. LC took its biggest lead of the game at the 5:25 mark when Edward Atkins jumper made the score 61-58.

Darius Singletary's 3-point play gave HSU the lead back for good at the 4:21 mark. HSU led 67-64 when John Derr made a steal and layup with 1:25 to play to make it 69-64. HSU hit four free throws in the final minute to ice the game away.

The Cowboys had a 32-18 advantage on points in the paint and the Cowboy bench outscored LC 47-23.

Eric Taylor led the Cowboys with 22 points off the bench. He hit four 3-pointers and was 7-for-13 from the field. Titus Mims added 12 points.

Doc Welch was the only Wildcat in double figures with 19 points.

The Cowboys are now 5-2 on the year and 4-1 in ASC play. LC fell to 1-6 overall and 1-4 in ASC action. HSU will host Mississippi College on Monday at 7:30 p.m.

--- HSU ---