The teams exchanged seven lead changes and the game was tied seven times in the first half. Neither team led by more than four points, Matthew Medell hit a 3-pointer with nine seconds remaining in the first half to give UTD a 30-29 halftime lead.

HSU used an 11-1 run early in the second half to take a 44-35 lead with 13:18 to play. Christian O'Neal scored the first six points of the run and Nathaniel Jack hit a 3-pointer.

The Cowboys opened the game up with an 8-0 run to make it 57-42. Justin Jones scored six points in the run. HSU continued to build the lead out to a high of 23 points.

Derrick Jefferson led the Cowboys with 21 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals. He scored 16 points in the second half. O'Neal had 15 of his 17 points in the second half. Justin Jones had 17 points and seven rebounds and Cameron Barnes had 10 points, including back-to-back 3-pointers in the second half that helped put the Cowboys in control.

The Cowboys are now 20-6 on the year and will play Concordia in the semifinals at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Sixth-seeded Concordia beat third-seeded Louisiana College 96-82 in the first game of the tournament.

HSU has now advanced to five straight ASC semifinals and have won at least one game in all eight tournament appearances. 

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