ABILENE, Texas  — Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team, which was playing with strong emotions after learning head coach Craig Carse's father had passed earlier in the day, came out strong and beat Texas-Tyler in a key American Southwest Conference game at the Mabee Complex.

Carlton Carse, who had moved to Abilene during the Christmas break, had come very close to the team in the few weeks he had been here. Zach Pickelman, a long-time HSU assistant, coached the Cowboys to the win.

"Our guys played with heavy hearts, but they played hard," said Pickelman. "I think they were playing hard for Coach Carse. We have a good bunch of guys that really play hard for each other."

The first half was a match-up of contrasting styles. HSU had a size advantage at every position and blocked nine first-half shots. UTT was quicker and able to have good ball movement and had eight assists on nine field goals in the first half and HSU led 35-34 at halftime.

HSU scored the first six points of the game, but after that neither team led by more than four points and there were seven ties and six lead changes.

The Cowboys used an 11-4 run out of the locker room to take a 46-38 lead with 13:23 to play. UTT chipped away at the deficit and finally tied the game at 57 with 5:24 to play.

That is when Jefferson put his stamp on the game. He hit a 3-pointer on the next possession then had a blocked shot and was fouled and hit both free throws.

John Barnes then hit Mawen Maywin for a dunk and Charles Sams for a 3-pointer on consecutive possessions to make the lead 67-59 and then Titus Mims hit a free throw and then hit a 3-pointer on the next possession to give the Cowboys' their biggest lead of the night at that point, 71-59.

Jefferson and Mims each had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Jefferson added four assists, four blocks and three steals as well. Charles Sams had 13 points off the bench for HSU. The Cowboys finished the game with 13 blocked shots.

Travis Dykman led UTT with 20 points and Jordan Cannon added 17. Bryce Kemp had 12 points and 13 rebounds.

HSU is now 8-7 overall and 8-4 in league play. Texas-Tyler fell to 9-7 overall and 8-5 in ASC action. The Cowboys will play Ozarks on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Mabee Complex.

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