Jan. 22, 2003

ABILENE, Texas -

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Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team will be looking to break a five-game losing streak when it plays host to conference-leader Sul Ross State and conference preseason favorite Howard Payne this weekend at the Mabee Complex. HSU is looking to bounce back after Concordia-Austin overcame a 15-point deficit to beat the Cowboys on Saturday.

About Hardin-Simmons

The Cowboys have been competitive in all but two games this season and have held a second half lead in nine of the last 11 games they have played and are 1-10 in those 11 games. The young Cowboys are still learning how to win close games down the stretch. Senior Bryan Conover leads the team with 13.9 points and eight rebounds per contest. Jordan Clower is averaging 11.3 points per outing. The Cowboys are playing 10 players that are in either their first or second season with the Cowboys.

About Sul Ross State

The Lobos are on top of the American Southwest Conference with a 4-0 mark and have beaten preseason favorite Howard Payne twice this season. They have a solid lineup that is led by Jorge Quintero's 16.8 points per game and Larry Morales' 16.6 points per outing. The Lobos are averaging 88.7 points per game and are 11-3 on the year. They were ranked in the national poll three weeks ago. Before falling out after a road loss at Ozarks. They have won four games in a row and are led by first-year head coach Doug Davalos.

About Howard Payne

The Yellowjackets are 2-2 in league play and are led by the preseason player of the year in the conference Benny West. West averages a conference-leading 23.5 points per game. He also averaged 6.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per outing. Three other Jackets, Justin Foster (13.4), Corey Henry (11.1) and Brandon Mosley (10.5) also average double digits. TreMayne Lowery, who played one semester for the Cowboys last year, also plays for the Yellowjackets and is averaging 1.9 points and 10 minutes per game.