RICHARDSON, Texas -- Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team opened American Southwest Conference play with a 79-68 win over defending league champion Texas Dallas on Saturday afternoon at the UTD Activities Center in Richardson.

HSU committed just six turnovers and shot 45.8 percent to overcome an 18-rebound deficit to the Comets. HSU had 16 assists on 27 made baskets, with Christian O'Neal leading the way with six.

The Cowboys led for most of the game and the biggest lead the Comets had was one on two different occasions. HSU led 36-32 at halftime.

HSU used a pair of 3-pointers by Duane Hopper to fuel a 10-2 run early in the second half to push the lead to 46-38 and the Comets would get closer than four on just one more occasion.

Derrick Jefferson and O'Neal each had 17 points for the Cowboys and Nathaniel Jack had 10. Justin Jones had eight points, six blocks, five rebounds, four assists and two steals for the Cowboys. HSU had eight players with six or more points in the game.

Matthew Meddell led four Comets in double figures with 17 points. Reagan Keogh had 14 points.

The Cowboys are 4-0 on the year and 1-0 in league play. UTD fell to 3-2 overall and 0-2 in conference play. HSU plays at Texas-Tyler and Ozarks next week.

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