BROWNWOOD, Texas -- Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team remained undefeated with a 77-59 win over Howard Payne in American Southwest Conference action Tuesday night at the Brownwood Coliseum.

The Cowboys used a 13-1 run late in the first half to take a 34-23 lead. Derrick Jefferson had five points in the runs and Duane Hopper hit back-to-back 3-pointers. HSU led 42-37 at halftime.

A 15-1 run early in the second half but the Cowboys in control 59-42 with 14 minutes to play. Jefferson had the first eight points of the run and Christian O'Neal finished the run scoring the final seven points. The Cowboys kept the lead the rest of the way.  

Jefferson led all scorers with 26 points and added five rebounds and four steals. O'Neal had 19 points for the Cowboys. Brandon Gould led Howard Payne with 15 points.

The Cowboys are 8-0 on the year and 4-0 in ASC play. The Yellowjackets dropped their first conference game of the year to fall to 2-3 overall and 2-1 in ASC play.

The eight wins tie the school record for wins to start a season in the non-scholarship era.

HSU will host Sul Ross State on Thursday at 7:30 at the Mabee Complex in the final game before the Christmas break.

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