Nov. 20, 2007

Final Stats

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team opened its season up in style with an 85-59 win over Southwestern, Tuesday night at the Mabee Complex in Abilene.

The Cowboys jumped on the Pirates from the start with an 8-0 run to start the game. Rob Yeatts hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the spurt. The Cowboys pushed the lead to 20-6 and Southwestern never got closer than 11 points the rest of the way.

HSU hit eight first-half 3-pointers and led 49-25 at halftime. The Cowboys defense suffocated the Pirates into shooting only 27 percent in the first half and 33 percent for the game. HSU forced 23 turnovers in its full-court pressing defense.

Junior college transfer Marcus Smith had 20 points in his debut with the Cowboys to lead the way. He nailed four 3-pointers and also had three steals. All-American Mardochee Jean had 14 points and 10 rebounds in just 21 minutes of action. He also had two blocks and four assists.

HSU used its entire bench in the game and 12 of the 14 players on the team scored. Ryan Ocheskey had a big game off the bench with 11 points and eight rebounds in 13 minutes and Yeatts hit for 11 points in his first game back with the Cowboys after sitting out last season.

The Pirates had no one score more than eight points in the game. Ross Hayes had eight points to pace the visitors.

With the win the Cowboys moved to 1-0 on the year and Southwestern fell to 1-2. HSU will play at Trinity on Monday in its next action.