MARSHALL, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team defeated East Texas Baptist, 80-75, in its American Southwest Conference opener on Thursday evening in Marshall.
 
The game was going back and forth in the early going with HSU taking a 14-7 lead with 12 minutes remaining in the first half. ETBU responded taking a 26-25 lead with 4:44 remaining in the half. The Cowboys took a 33-29 lead in the locker room. Both teams shot 34.5 percent from the field in the opening half. 
 
The Cowboys had their biggest lead of the night at 51-37 with 12:37 to play. ETBU went on a run to tie the game 64-64 with 5:34 remaining. The Tigers took a 75-73 lead with 1:27 left.
 
Chris Bryant tied the game with a layup on the next offensive possession. Silas Livingston forced an ETBU turnover on the following possession and Cooper Peterson turned it into points. Bryant sealed the game with a dunk with 11 seconds on the clock to give the Cowboys an 80-75 lead. 
 
Bryant and Austin Brewer paced the Cowboys with 14 points each. Brewer led HSU with eight rebounds. Livingston had four assists and two steals to lead the Cowboys. 
 
ETBU shot 47 percent from the field while HSU shot 44 percent. The Cowboys forced 13 Tiger turnovers turning those into 20 points. 
 
Jason Justice led ETBU with 32 points and added two rebounds. Michael Roberts had ten points and 17 rebounds which led the Tigers. 
 
HSU is now 8-8 on the year and 1-0 in league play. ETBU fell to 4-13 overall and 0-1 in ASC action. The Cowboys will play at LeTourneau at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
 
 
 
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