HOUSTON, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' Cowboy basketball team fought for a win 74-72 against St. Thomas in the NCAA Tournament second round on Saturday night playing at St. Thomas. The Cowboys advance to the NCAA Sweet 16 to face New York University next weekend.
The host team St. Thomas Celts came out hot and had an early lead 10-6 over Hardin-Simmons early, but the Cowboys went on a 19-6 run over the next nine minutes to take their largest lead of the game up 23-16.
St. Thomas clawed back to lead at halftime 34-33 over Hardin-Simmons. There were 22 lead changes in the NCAA Tournament second round matchup.
The Cowboys got out to tie their largest lead again with eight minutes left in the game, up 57-50 after a
Jamar Ingram bucket in the paint. Ingram had a season-high in scoring for the Cowboys with 12 points against the Celts.
St. Thomas put the pressure on late to pull within one point, down 73-72 with 21 seconds left. HSU added a free throw, and the Cowboy defense clamped down and didn't allow a shot for the Celts on the final possession to win and advance to the NCAA Sweet 16 round next weekend.
The Cowboys had four in double figures on Saturday night.
Austin Brewer led with 16 points while
Silas Davis and
Chris Bryant scored 13 points each to go with 12 points from Ingram.
The Cowboys advance with the win against St. Thomas in the NCAA Tournament second round and will play in the NCAA Sweet 16 for the second time in program history. HSU previously took on Whitman in the 2017 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.
The Cowboys will pair up with the No. 1 ranked New York University Violets in the NCAA Sweet 16 next weekend with the locations and game times to be announced on Sunday.
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