Jan. 5, 2004

Final Stats

ABILENE, Texas - For the third straight game the Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team found itself trailing in a tight game down the stretch, but this time the Cowboys were able to make the comeback complete as HSU overcame a seven-point deficit in regulation in its game with LeTourneau on Tuesday night to force overtime and won the game 86-84.

HSU trailed 74-67 with 2:23 to go in the game. Dathan Jones responded with a pair of free throws for to cut it to 74-69 with 2:10 to play. Jonas Fuller drew the first of the three charges he drew down the stretch when Julius McClaskey pushed off going to the basket.

Zach Pickelman was fouled on the ensuing possession and split a pair of free throws to cut it to 74-70 with 1:57 to play. Randy Aram's short jumper made it 76-70 with 1:31 to play. Jones responded with a short jumper in the lane and Pickelman added two more free throws after a foul by JP Bowers to make it 76-74 with :27 to go.

HSU fouled Scott Potter and he split a pair of free throws with :26 left and the Cowboys ot the ball and HSU's lone senior Carl Thompson hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key to tied the game at 77 with :17 to go. LeTourneau turned the ball over as the game went to overtime.

In the extra session, Tym Dygert nailed a triple on LeTourneau's first possession of overtime, but the Cowboys responded with an Adam Shoupe jumper. Thompson then hit a lay-up and Daniel McGraner followed with a basket for LeTourneau, making it 82-81 with 3:00 to play.

Pickelman hit a pair of free throws to give the Cowboys an 83-82 lead and after Randy Aram missed a pair of free throws the Thompson hit a driving lay-in to give the Cowboys an 85-82 lead. Thompson was fouled with :43 to go and he split a pair of free throws making it 86-82. Daniel McGraner hit a jumper with :17 to go. After a Dathan Jones turnover, a late 3-pointer by Richie Eisemann missed and Pickelman secured the rebound and the win.

Tanner Kudrna led the Cowboys with 22 points, including a 5-for-5 night behind the 3-point line. Thompson added 18, Pickelman scored 15 and Jones chipped in 13. Randy Aram led the visitors with 18, Tim Dygert had 16 and McGraner chipped in with 14.

HSU is now 3-7 on the year and LeTourneau fell to 0-8. The Cowboys will close out ASC Crossover action with a two-game set, beginning Thursday at Louisiana College. That game can be heard on the Internet or at 90.5 FM in the Big Country.