The Howard Payne University men’s basketball team’s season ended with a 94-73 loss to Hardin-Simmons University Saturday afternoon at the Mabee Athletic Complex.

Playing without starting forward Frederick Watts, Howard Payne was outrebounded by Hardin-Simmons 44-36 and struggled shooting from the field connecting on just 36.9% of shots compared to a 51.4% shooting for the Cowboys.

The Yellow Jackets fell behind early and trailed 40-31 at the halftime break.  The Cowboys with a height advantage in the game would control the scoring in the paint 54-26 and go on to post the 94-73 final with 52.3% second half shooting.

HPU senior Jaylan Ballou led all scorers with 21 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Myles Brown followed with 16 points and Isiah Thomas added 10 points off the bench for HPU.

Hardin-Simmons was led by Steven Quinn with 19 points and eight rebounds. Neal Chambliss added 16 points and nine rebounds.

Howard Payne ends its season at 7-18 overall and 6-14 in American Southwest Conference action. Hardin-Simmons is now 16-7 overall and 12-6 in league play.

(courtesy HPU Sports Information)