ALPINE, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team jumped out to a 14-0 lead and never trailed in a 79-68 win over Sul Ross State on Friday evening in the American Southwest Conference Tournament semifinals at the Gallegos Center in Alpine.

Duane Hopper hit two 3-pointers in the opening run. Sul Ross State didn't score its first points until the 13:48 mark. HSU continued to build on the lead and Ryan Leiss' 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer gave HSU a 45-24 lead.

The Cowboys controlled most of the second half and Hopper's fifth 3-pointer of the game gave HSU a 70-44 lead with 6:32 to play. The Lobos then tried to mount a comeback. They cut it to 72-62 with 2:18 to play with an 18-2 run and eventually cut it to 74-68, but the Cowboys closed the game out with five free throws in the final :25.

"We wanted to come out and set the tone and not let them get a rhythm and we did," said Hopper. "We were able to knock down some open shots and we get to play for the title tomorrow."

Hopper led the Cowboys with 17 points. Dashun Dixon and Christian O'Neal had 13 points each, Caleb Spoon added 12 and Nathaniel Jack had 10.

Brock Anders scored 18 points for the Lobos and Alex Harrison added 14.

HSU is now 17-10 on the year and Sul Ross State fell to 16-10. The Cowboys had lost the two regular-season meetings to the Lobos.

The Cowboys are looking for their first ASC title tomorrow against Louisiana College at 4 p.m. in Alpine. HSU won the regular-season meeting 80-70.