Box Score MARSHALL, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' late rally came up short in an 88-83 loss at East Texas Baptist in a battle of the two teams that were tied atop the American Southwest Conference men's basketball standings going into the game Thursday night at Ornelas Gym in Marshall.
ETBU hit 13-of-20 3-pointers in the game including 7-of-10 in the second half and the Cowboys could not overcome the hot shooting. It was HSU's fourth-straight loss.
The Tigers came out hot early and jumped to a 17-5 lead and the Cowboys played uphill the entire game. Erby Thompson's 3-pointer with 7:26 to play in the first half gave the Tigers a 33-15 lead. HSU then scored the next nine points and ETBU scored the next eight points after that.
ETBU led by double digits most of the second half and Jamil Samuel's fadeaway 3-pointer at the shot clock buzzer from 25-foot appeared to put the Cowboys away at 72-53 with 7:29 to play, but the Cowboys battled back with a 16-6 run to make it 78-69 with 2:52 to play.
The Cowboys continued to whittle the deficit and Derrick Jefferson's 3-point play with :20 to play. Dylan Augustine hit four free throws in the final :17 seconds to seal the win for ETBU.
Augustine had a huge night with 25 points. He was 6-for-7 from the field, including 5-of-5 from 3-point range and 8-of-8 at the free throw line. Justin Felicia had 19 points for the Tigers.
Jefferson finished with 29 points for the Cowboys and O'Neal added 20 points in his return to the Cowboy lineup.
The Cowboys are now 16-6 on the year and 12-6 in league play. East Texas Baptist is 18-4 overall and 13-4 in ASC action. HSU will play at LeTourneau at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
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