Jan. 19, 2006

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team rallied from an early deficit, then took a big lead, but eventually fell in overtime to Mary Hardin-Baylor in American Southwest Conference action at the Mabee Complex on Saturday.

Mary Hardin-Baylor jumped out to a 17-6 lead in the early going and led 30-20 late in the half, but the Cowboys went on a 24-5 run from the 2:30 mark of the first half to 14:22 remaining in regulation to take a 44-35 lead.

UMHB responded with a 7-0 run to make it 44-42 with 12:19 to go in the game. From that point on neither team led by more than four points. The Cowboys led 65-61 with 1:03 to go. Kevin Guyden hit a pair of free throws to cut it to 65-63 and then the Cowboys had a couple of shots under the basket at the end of the shot clock but missed and UMHB got the ball for one final shot in regulation looking to tie. Justin Schwartz got the shot and hit a fade away jumper off the glass to tie the game with six seconds to go.

The Cowboys were unable to get a look in the final six seconds. In overtime HSU led 70-67 when Patrick Oliver hit a pair of free throws to cut it to 70-69 and then got a layup off a steal and was foulded to give the Crusaders the lead. He made the free throw making it 72-70 with 1:41 to play. The Crusaders made iot 74-70 with :25 on another pair of free throws after the Cowboys missed four shots to tie the game.

Tanner Kudrna hit a jumper to make it 74-72 with :15 remaining and Jimmy Carter split a pair of free throws to make it 75-72 with :14 remaining. HSU had three looks at a 3-ponter in the final seconds but could not find the net.

Zach Pickelman led the Cowboys with 21 points and Kudrna had 18 points and 12 rebounds. Patrick Oliver led UMHB with 18 points and Kevin Guyden added 17.

HSU fell to 7-8 overall and 6-6 in the ASC West. UMHB improved to 11-4 overall and 10-2 in league play. The Cowboys host Concordia-Austin on Saturday at 3p.m.

--- HSU Athletics ---