Jan. 14, 2006

Final Stats

BROWNWOOD, Texas - Howard Payne's men's basketball team used a huge advantage at the free throw line in the second half to overcome an early 11-point deficit and defeat Hardin-Simmons 74-65, Saturday afternoon in American Southwest Conference action at the Brownwood Coliseum.

The Yellowjackets shot 23 second-half free throws, including 17 before the Cowboys had to foul in the final minute. Sean Wheeler who was a no-factor in the first half came alive in the second half and scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half including 7-of-11 at the free throw line,

HSU was solid at the line going 15-for-17, but the Jackets were 23-for-34 and it was the only difference in a game that both teams made 23 field goals and rebounds were even and the Cowboys had one less turnover.

The Cowboys led 43-32 with 15:19 remaining, but the Jackets hit the Cowboys with a 23-6 run to take a 55-49 lead at the 7:16 mark. In the run the Jackets hit 10-of-14 free throws. Wheeler had 12 in the run.

James Peters' 4-point play at the 4:53 mark cut it to 60-59, but HSU would get no closer.

Zach Pickelman led the Cowboys with 17 points and Mardochee Jean added 16. Jamarcus Johnson led the Jackets with 20, including a 3-pointer with just over a minute to play that put the game on ice.

HSU is now 7-7 on the year and 6-5 in ASC West play. Howard Payne improved to 10-3 overall and 9-2 in league action.