The Howard Payne men’s basketball team picked up their first win of the 2009-2010 season, 73-65 over Sul Ross State University Saturday afternoon. 

After trailing by 36-29 at the half, Howard Payne’s 47 points in the second half put them over the top for the 73-65 win. 

The Yellow Jackets trailed Sul Ross by 10 with 6:19 remaining in the first, 10-20. HPU’s Brandon Irwin scored 8 of the final 16 points in the half to pull the Jackets to within 3 points, 26-29. 

With 6 minutes remaining in the game, HPU took their first lead, 57-56, since the score was 8-7 with 13 minutes in the first half on a layup by Quentin Calloway. 

From that point, HPU never relinquished the lead and expanded it out to 9 at one point. HPU went on to win the game, 65-73.

Five Jackets had double digits on the game- Keith Perry with 15, Brandon Irwin with 14, Quentin Calloway with 12, Daniel Bubel with 12, and Henry Valladares followed with 10. The five scored 63 of the 73 points for the Yellow Jackets. 

Sul Ross was led by Travis Johnson with a game-high 16 followed by Steven Johunkin with 13 points. 

The Jackets shot 46.8% from the field and held Sul Ross to 40% shooting. HPU was out-rebounded 41-34 but forced 26 Sul Ross turnovers. 

The men improve to (1-6) for the year and (1-4) in the ASC. Sul Ross State falls to (1-6) overall and (1-4) in the ASC. 

The Yellow Jackets next game is on Dec. 19 in Pineville, LA against Louisiana College at 7:30pm.