ABILENE, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball fell to East Texas Baptist, 80-77, on Saturday in American Southwest Conference action at the Mabee Complex.

The Cowboys opened the game with six straight points and led 28-12 with 9:46 to play in the first half. HSU maintained the big advantage and led 48-31 at halftime.

ETBU started chipping away at the deficit and tied the game at 60 on a Martin McDowell 3-pointer with 9:15 to play.

The teams went back and forth down the stretch with six ties and five lead changes.

The game was tied at 76 when Aaron Gregg hit a jumper with :10 to play for a 78-76 lead. Will Bartoszek was fouled and he split a pair of free throws with :04 to play. HSU was forced to foul and Darry Moore hit both free throws.

Bartoszek then got off a good look at a 3-pointer and was contacted but no foul was called and ETBU escaped with the win.

Bartoszek led the Cowboys with 25 points, Steven Quinn had 20 points and Austin Brewer added 11.

Moore led the Tigers with 30 points. Kevin Charles added 12, Aaron Gregg had 11 and Ryan Elzy chipped in 10.

HSU fell to 3-4 with the loss and 1-2 in league play. ETBU improved to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in ASC play. The Cowboys will travel to Howard Payne for a 7:30 p.m. game on Thursday.

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