ABILENE, Texas -- Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team ramped up the defensive intensity and it showed in a 91-53 rout of Texas-Tyler in American Southwest Conference action at the Mabee Complex on Saturday afternoon.

The Cowboys limited the Patriots to a 14-for-58 (24.1 percent) shooting day, including just 5-for-29 in the first half. HSU jumped out to a 15-5 lead early in the game and never led by less than 10 the rest of the way. Christian O'Neal's floater with :04 to play in the half gave the Cowboys their biggest lead of the first half at 41-15.

Charles Sams' 3-pointer at the 12-13 mark made it 64-23 and the 41 points were the biggest lead until Caleb Hogan's third 3-pointer of the game with 1:41 to play made it 89-46 the biggest lead of the game.

Derrick Jefferson led a balanced attack that saw five players reach double figures with 18 points. Duane Hopper and Nathaniel jack had 12 points each, Hogan had a career-best 11 points and Cameron Barnes added 10.

HSU shot 28-for-50 (56 percent) in the game. HSU had a 33-14 advantage in the paint and scored 27 points off turnovers.

Latigo Collins and Chris Rios led the way for the Patriots with 10 points each.

The Cowboys are now 15-2 on the year and 11-1 in conference play. UT-Tyler fell to 1-17 overall and 0-13 in league play. HSU plays at Sul Ross State on Thursday.

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