Howard Payne shot 51.4% from the field in the first period to gain a 53-34 halftime advantage. The Yellow Jackets continued with over 50% shooting in the second period to claim the 99-67 win.
The Yellow Jackets forced 25 Blazer turnovers and won points off turnovers, 30-14, points in the paint, 40-28, and fast break points, 19-7. The HPU bench also outscored Belhaven’s 52-17.
HPU was led by Harold Myart with 16 points on 6 of 9 shooting, 3 of 6 from behind the arc. Frederick Watts had 13 points and a team high nine rebounds. Myles Brown had 11 points and Malikih Gillum added 10 points, Gillum was 8 of 8 from the free-throw line. Every HPU player would score for the Yellow Jackets.
Belhaven was led by Luke Couch with 25 points followed by Arother Ratliff with 21 points.
Howard Payne is now 6-15 overall and 5-11 in American Southwest Conference play. Belhaven stands at 6-9 overall and 4-8 in league action. The Jackets will play next at home versus the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor on Thursday at 7:30 pm.
[Story courtesy of HPUSports.com]