TYLER, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team fell 106-101 in three overtimes to UT Tyler in American Southwest Conference action at the Herrington Patriot Center in Tyler on Saturday afternoon.

The first half was tightly contested with five ties and five lead changes and no one led by more than the Cowboys 36-30 lead at halftime.

Duane Hopper hit a 3-pointer on the first possession of the second half to give the Cowboys their biggest lead of the game at 39-30. UTT cut it down quickly with a 9-2 run. Neither team led by more than six points the rest of the way.

The Patriots led 71-68, when Hopper tied the game with a 3-pointer with :11 to play. Melvin Anthony's shot at the buzzer missed for UTT.

HSU had taken a late two-point lead in the first overtime when Tyler Jacobs scored with 5.8 seconds to play to tie the game. Joe Hoeup's good look at the buzzer didn't fall and the teams went to a second overtime.

Nathaniel Jack's 3-pointer with 1:10 to play gave HSU a 89-84 lead, but Anthony hit a 3-pointer and Alan Long a layup after an HSU turnover to tie the game. Hopper then hit another 3-pointer with :15 to play, but Long answered with a 3-pointer with :04 to play to force a third overtime.

Ryan Leiss tied the game at 101 with :45 to play in the third overtime but Anthony scored on a layup and the Patriots hit three more free throws in the final second for the win.

Hopper set a career-best with 26 points as did his eight 3-pointers. Nathaniel Jack had 26 points on 11-of-12 shooting and added nine rebounds. Dashun Dixon added 25 points and Justin Jones had 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Melvin Anthony led the Patriots with 30 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists. Verlo Levels had 24 points and Jordan Francis added 18.

HSU is now 4-3 overall and 2-1 in ASC play. The Patriots improved to 5-3 overall and 2-1 in ASC play. HSU will play at LeTourneau on Monday at 7:30 in its next action.