March 1, 2008

Final Stats

BELTON, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team battled back from a 14-point first half deficit, but could not finish down the stretch in a 60-55 loss to Mary Hardin-Baylor in the semifinals of the American Southwest Conference Tournament, Saturday in Belton.

The Cowboys trailed 29-15 in the first half, but cut the deficit to 33-26 at halftime. The Cowboys had to play with star Mardochee Jean in foul trouble with three fouls called off the ball. He was called for his fourth foul with 12:39 again off the ball away from the play. He went out with HSU trailing 43-35.

HSU trailed 47-37 with 9:58 to play, but went on a 15-4 run fueled by six straight points by freshman Casey Riddle to take the lead at 52-51. The Crusaders did not make a field goal in the final 7:22 of the game but survived at the free throw line, making eight of 10.

Trailing 55-54, Rob Yeatts missed a 3-pointer and he and Rian Stubbs looked to have good rebounding position, but Yeatts was called for a foul and Tilmon Gaddy hit both free throws to make it 57-54 with 1:04 to play.

The Cowboys missed a couple more 3-pointers in the final minute of the game. HSU outrebounded the Cru in the game and limited them to six field goals in the second half, but UMHB hit 15-of-18 at the free throw line in the second half. UMHB was 18-for-24 at the free throw line, doubling the Cowboys attempts. HSU hit 8-for-12.

Jean finished with 13 points and eight rebounds. He finished his career with exactly 1,000 rebounds. Yeatts had 13 for HSU, all in the first half.

Gaddy had 14 points to lead four Cru players in double figures. Neiman Ford had 13, David Ray had 12 and Matt Caskey added 10.

HSU closes the year with a record of 15-12 and UMHB improved to 24-3. They will play Concordia for the ASC title at 2 p.m. Sunday.