ABILENE, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team dropped its second straight game in the final minute, falling 83-80 to Mary Hardin-Baylor in the home opener for the Cowboys on Friday night at the Mabee Complex.

HSU used a 9-0 run in the first half to take a 21-10 lead with 10:50 to play in the half. HSU led 32-22 with 6:47 left in the first half, before the Cru went on an 11-0 run of their own to take a 33-32 lead with 2:50 left in the half and the teams went to the locker room tied at 37.

The Cowboys pushed the lead to 48-42 early in the second half and neither team led by more than six points the rest of the way. HSU led 75-72, but Kobe Richardson and Josiah Johnson hit back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Cru the lead that they did not relinquish.

Chase Cobb led four Cowboys in double figures with 20 points, he hit a career-best six 3-pointers in the contest. Kyle Brennon had 13 points, Aidan Walsh added 11 and Steven Quinn had 10 points.

Josiah Johnson led the Cru with 30 points and Kyle Wright added 19.

The Cowboys had a 19-5 advantage in points off turnovers and a 30-12 advantage in the paint, the Cru countered with a 21-7 advantage in fast break points. UMHB was 21-of-24 at the free throw line and the Cowboys went 6-for-12.

HSU is now 1-2 on the year and UMHB is 1-0. The game did not count as a conference game. HSU returns to action on Saturday at 3 p.m. when it hosts Sul Ross State in a non-conference game.

--- www.hsuathletics.com ---