BELTON, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' football team came up short in a top 10 showdown at Mary Hardin-Baylor, falling 20-15 in American Southwest Conference action at Crusader Stadium on Saturday in Belton.

UMHB scored the first points of the game on a John Mowery 42-yard field in the first quarter but HSU answered right back with a seven-play 66-yard drive and Ryan Breton capped it with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Alex Bell. Tyler Smith's PAT hit the upright and fell out for a 6-3 HSU lead.

In the second quarter, the Cowboys had their longest drive of the year going 88 yards in 15 plays and took 7:11 off the clock as Nico Francino kicked a 34-yard field goal to give HSU a 9-3 lead with 4:04 to play in the first half.

UMHB came right back with a quick drive that was highlighted by a 41-yard pass to T.J. Josey. Bryce Wilkerson gave the Cru the 10-9 lead with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Blake Jackson.

HSU's defense, which was stellar the entire game, forced a quick punt to start the third quarter and the Cowboys went 76 yards in eight plays with Jaquan Hemphill scoring from a yard out after Alex Bell had set it up with a 61-yard pass from Breton. The two-point conversion failed and the Cowboys led 15-10 with 10:01 to play in the third quarter.

UMHB cut into the deficit with a 32-yard field goal by Mowery with 4:04 to play in the third quarter.

The Cru's Hunter Schmidt had an interception early in the fourth quarter and returned it to the 5-yard line to set up Mary Hardin-Baylor and Carson Embry scored on a 6-yard pass from Jackson to give the Cru a 20-15 lead with 14:00 to play.

Cory Ward led a strong effort by the Cowboy defense with 16 tackles and he also had 1.5 sacks. HSU held the Cru, who came in averaging over 505 yards and 60.8 points, were held to 300 yards and 20 points.

Ryan Breton was 19-for-33 for 235 yards and a touchdown. Jaquan Hemphill ran for 105 yards for the Cowboys.

Blake Jackson completed 17-of-23 passes for 176 yards and two scores.

The Cowboys are now 6-1 on the year and 3-1 in ASC play. The Cru took over the ASC lead at 7-0 overall and 4-0 in conference action. HSU will play at Belhaven next week in an 11 a.m. kickoff.