The Howard Payne University men’s basketball team fell 76-72 in the closing seconds to Sul Ross State University Thursday evening on the road.

With HPU leading 60-58 with seven minutes remaining, Sul Ross went on a 12-0 run to build a 10-point advantage 70-60 with four minutes left to play.

The Jackets did battle till the end and pulled to within three, 73-70 with :27 seconds left on a Jerren Godfrey three-pointer. Then with six seconds left, HPU had an opportunity to tie but an HPU turnover secured the 76-72 final for Sul Ross after free-throws.

Michael House led HPU with a game high 20 points. He was 8 of 13 from the field and 3 of 7 from behind the arc. Fredrick Watts added another double double to his season  totals with 10 points, and10 rebounds, with three blocks. Jerren Godfrey added 15 points sparked by 3 of 5 three-point shooting. Jaylan Ballou dished out a game high eight assists.

Sul Ross was led by Julian Paredes with 20 points and 18 rebounds.

Howard Payne is now 2-2 overall and 1-1 in American Southwest Conference action. Sul Ross State stands at 2-1 overall and 2-0 in league play. The Jackets will play next at the Nebraska Wesleyan’s Snyder Classic in Lincoln, Nebraska on Nov. 26-27; versus Nebraska Wesleyan on Friday and Wisconsin- River Falls on Saturday.

(story courtesy Howard Payne Athletics Sports Information)