ABILENE, Texas – Howard Payne shot 63.3 percent in the second half to beat Hardin-Simmons 81-76 in American Southwest Conference men's basketball action at the Mabee Complex on Saturday afternoon. 

The Jackets received a Ty Davis 3-pointer at the first half buzzer to give HPU a 36-33 lead at halftime. HPU hit 19-of-30 shots in the second half.

The game featured nine ties and 15 lead changes. Howard Payne took a 51-44 lead with 13:42 to play and the Cowboys answered with a 12-4 run to retake the lead at the 10:42 mark on a Derrick Jefferson lay-up.

Howard Payne again pushed the lead to seven at 71-64 with 4:26 to play and HSU scored seven straight to tie the game. Charles Sams' 3-pointer tied the game at 71 with 3:07 to play. HPU led 77-73 with :49 to play when Jefferson hit a pair of free throws with :39 to play.

Jefferson appeared to have a steal and break away to tie the game with :29 to play but a late foul was called and Brandon Gould hit a pair of free throws. Gould added two more free throws with :10 to play to cap a 31-point day for himself.  

Jefferson led the Cowboys with 29 points and Justin jones had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Cameron Barnes had 14 points for the Cowboys.

Khyce Randall and Jorden Young added 12 points each to join Gould in double figures for HPU. 

HSU is now 16-3 on the year and 12-2 in conference play. Howard Payne improved to 9-9 overall and 9-4 in league play. HSU hosts Texas-Dallas on Monday at 7:30 p.m.

--- www.hsuathletics.com --