Jan. 15, 2004

Final Stats

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team remained atop the American Southwest Conference West Division standings with a 69-66 win over Mary Hardin-Baylor, Thursday night at the Mabee Complex.

The Cowboys got 21 points from Tanner Kudrna and 16 from Jonas Fuller as the Cowboys used its four-guard lineup to its advantage. Despite being smaller at every position on the floor for most of the game the Cowboys only lost the board battle by two and were able to convert down the stretch for the win.

Carl Thompson sealed the win with a lay-up off an inbonds play with 13 seconds to play. He broke long and Zach Pickelman hit him with a perfect strike for one of his eight assists. Kudrna started the game scoring the Cowboys first 11 points and Fuller had a 10-point streak of his own to start the second half.

HSU kept the Crusaders at bay despite a 16-of-29 performance at the free throw line. But down the stretch the Cowboys hit the ones that mattered and move to 2-0 in ASC play for the first time ever.

Mary Hardin-Baylor, who was led by Justin Hejl's 17 points, fell to 9-4 overall and 1-1 in ASC West play. The Cowboys are 4-9 overall. HSU returns to action Saturday when it hosts Concordia-Austin at 3 p.m.