ABILENE, Texas -- Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team moved to 7-0 on the year with an 81-63 win over Southwestern on Saturday night in the Mabee Complex in non-conference action.

Derrick Jefferson fueled the Cowboys with a near-perfect second-half. He scored 26 of his 31 points in the second half on 8-for-8 shooting from the floor and 9-for-10 from the free throw line. His 31 points tied his career-high and he also had seven rebounds and five assists.

Southwestern jumped to an early 18-8 lead at the 10:58 mark of the first half. The Cowboys used a 14-4 run to tie the game at 22 with 4:41 to play in the half. HSU led 29-28 at halftime.

A 13-2 run pushed the HSU lead to 49-36 with 13:45 to play. SU chipped down to 52-48 but would get no closer. The Cowboys shot 62.1 percent in the second half.

Christian O'Neal had 15 points for the Cowboys and Justin Jones added nine points, 14 rebounds and a career-best seven blocked shots.

Chris Molina led four Pirates in double figures with 12 points off the bench.

The Cowboys are 7-0 on the year and will return to conference action on Tuesday at Howard Payne. Southwestern fell to 1-3 on the year. HSU swept the season series after winning the previous game 70-57 in Georgetown on Nov. 22.

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