Nov. 22, 2005

Final Stats

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team ran out to a 15-point lead in the second half and then held on to defeat Southwestern, 67-63, Tuesday night at the Mabee Complex in Abilene.

The Cowboys held a 44-29 lead when James Peters hit a driving lay-up at the 18-minute mark of the second half. Southwestern went on a 25-8 run from the 15:35 mark to the 5:32 mark to take their only lead of the second half, 55-54.

After the Pirates took the lead Mardochee Jean took over the game for the Cowboys. He had a 3-point play on the next possession to give HSU the lead it would not relinquish.

On Jean's free throw on the back end of the 3-point play, Southwestern was called for a pushing foul when the shot was in the air. Tanner Kudrna hit both free throws to give the Cowboys a five-point trip and a 59-55 lead.

Zach Pickelman hit a lay-up on an assist from Kudrna to make it 61-57 with 3:16 to play. Danny Franklin came right back for the Pirates and hit a 3-pointer to make it 61-60 with 2:56 to play. Pickelman then converted a 3-point play as he used his up-and-under play and was fouled. Robert Cates scored a lay-up and split a pair of free throws to set-up an exciting sequence to end the game.

HSU led 64-63 when senior Colby Hale hit one of two free throws with :29 to play. Southwestern set-up a play for Jamonn Little he went up and Jean came from the backside and swatted the attempted game-winner away. It was one of a school-record tying eight blocks for the sophomore center.

Pickelman led the way with 20 points and Jean had 17 points, seven rebounds and eight blocks. James Peters had 12 points, but his best effort was on the defensive end. He limited 2005 All-American and SCAC player of the year Aaron Bowser to four points on 2-of-8 shooting.

The Cowboys improved to 1-1 on the year and Southwestern fell to 1-2. HSU will return to action Saturday when it opens American Southwest Conference play at UT-Tyler with a 3 p.m. game.

--- HSU Athletics ---