In a prelude to American Southwest Conference basketball action, the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets hosted the rival Hardin-Simmons Cowboys in non-conference action Saturday, dropping their season opener by an 81-70 count.
The Yellow Jackets (0-1) trailed by just three points at halftime, 38-35, and were down two, 41-39, with 18:02 left following an Evan Adkins layup. The Cowboys (1-0) responded with 16 of the next 17 points to open a 57-40 advantage with 12:21 to go and Howard Payne never threatened again. The Yellow Jackets closed the gap to 10 points, 66-56 on a three-pointer by Demetrius Johnson with 4:59 remaining, but got no closer.
Howard Payne drained 40 percent (23 of 57) of its shots, 25 percent (5 of 20) of its treys, and 70 percent (19 of 27) of its free throw attempts. Meanwhile, Hardin-Simmons shot 37 percent (26 of 70) from the floor, 29 percent (9 of 31) from three-point land and 74 percent (20 of 27) at the free throw line.
The Cowboys also owned a 48-38 edge in rebounds and forced 20 turnovers while committing 16.
Tyrell Thompson led Howard Payne with 22 points followed by James Helzer with 11, Jacob Smith with 9, Michael House with 7, Adkins and Isiah Thomas with 5 apiece, Jaylan Ballou and Luke Cox with 3 points each, and Jayden Modrall tacked on 2 points.
Helzer also contributed a team-high 10 rebounds to complete a double-double, Ballou dished out a team-high 4 assists, and House and Ballou each snagged a pair of steals.
For Hardin-Simmons, Aidan Walsh led the charge with 16 points followed by Kannon Jones with 14 and Trey Wooldridge with 11.
The Jackets and Cowboys will meet twice more this season when ASC action commences.
Howard Payne’s next action is Monday, Nov. 16 at East Texas Baptist – another non-conference game against a conference foe – while the Yellow Jackets’ next home date is slated for Dec. 12 against Sul Ross.
