ALPINE, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team dropped its second straight game, falling 78-72 to Sul Ross State in American Southwest Conference action at the Gallegos Center in Alpine on Saturday afternoon.

The teams played a first half that featured nine lead changes and six ties and Sul Ross State led 38-36 at halftime. Neither team led by more than five points in the second half all the way up until the end. Nathaniel Jack's two free throws with 4:53 to play tied the game for the 11^th time.

Sul Ross State then scored seven straight points over the next two minutes and held on down the stretch at the free throw line hitting six of eight in the final minute to keep the Cowboys away. HSU cut it to three points on two occasions in the final minute.

Nathaniel Jack led the Cowboys with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Christian O'Neal had 18 points, Justin Jones had 11 points and Cameron Barnes added 10, all of which came in the first half.

Caleb Thomasson had 18 points and 10 rebounds for Sul Ross State and Xavier Webb had 18 points. Alex Harrison had 13 points and Feliciano had 11 points.

HSU is now 10-6 on the year and 5-3 in conference play and Sul Ross State improved to 9-7 overall and 5-2 took over the ASC West lead at 5-2. HSU travels to McMurry next Saturday in its next action.