JACKSON, Miss. – Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team came up short in the American Southwest Conference opener at Belhaven, falling 89-84 on Thursday night in Jackson, Miss. 

Belhaven opened up a 26-14 lead in the first half but the Cowboys clawed back with a 17-5 run and eventually took a 38-36 halftime lead.

The teams went back and forth in the second half and Joe Hoeup's 3-pointer with 3:08 remaining gave the Cowboys a 78-76 lead, but the Blazers scored the next seven points to take an 83-78 lead. HSU cut it to 85-82 and had a chance to tie the game but Caleb Spoon's 3-pointer was off the mark and Belhaven iced the game at the foul line.

The difference in the game came at the 3-point line. Belhaven went 15-for-31 from behind the arc and the Cowboys were just 5-for-25.

Hoeup led the Cowboys with 21 points, five assists and four rebounds. Spoon had 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Keenan Holdman had 15 points and Chris Barrett had 14.

Kyle Patterson, Brent Webber and Victor Price all had 14 points to lead Belhaven.

The Cowboys are 0-4 on the year and 0-1 in conference play. Belhaven improved to 1-3 on the year and 1-0 in conference play. HSU will play at Louisiana College on Saturday.

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