ABILENE, Texas – Christian O'Neal set a non-scholarship era record with 14 assists to propel Hardin-Simmons to a 102-81 win over Ozarks in American Southwest Conference men's basketball action at the Mabee Complex on Thursday evening.

O'Neal had nine first-half assists to help the Cowboys to a 43-35 halftime lead. The sophomore point guard added five more in the second half and also added 15 points and six rebounds.

Sophomore center Justin Jones set a career high with 26 points and added eight rebounds and four blocked shots. Cameron Barnes scored 21 points and hit five 3-pointers off the bench and Charles Sams added 15 points, including four 3-pointers and he was also fouled on a 3-pointer and made all three free throws.

HSU had a 40-20 advantage in bench scoring and outscored the Eagles 48-38 in the paint. The Cowboys never led by less than nine points in the second half and led by as many 27.

Dylan Gray and Jace Richardson had 18 points each for Ozarks and Josh Berard added 15.

HSU is now 14-2 on the year and 10-1 in ASC play. Ozarks fell to 6-10 overall and 3-9 in league play. HSU hosts Texas-Tyler on Saturday at 1 p.m.

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