Howard Payne men’s basketball was defeated by East Texas Baptist University 75-60 in American Southwest Conference action Monday night in Ornelas Gymnasium.

ETBU (2-1, 2-0 ASC) placed four players in double figures and held a 51-32 rebounding advantage over the Yellow Jackets (0-4, 0-2).

The Jackets led just once in the game, at 4-3 following a Keith Perry free throw, but managed to stay within striking distance by trailing just 31-26 at halftime.

Perry, who scored a game-high 21 points, kept HPU close through the first couple of minutes of the second half with a three-pointer and two free throws. But ETBU hit back-to-back 3’s to make it 40-31 with 16:43 left, and a layup gave ETBU its first double-digit lead of the night at 42-31.

HPU got back to within seven on a Kanyon Payne’s basket with 7:05 remaining to make it 57-50, but the ETBU went on an 11-5 run over the next three minutes to put the game away.

Keith Perry finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Brandon Irwin added 14 points for the Yellow Jackets. 

Jacob Turnipseed added 16 points, five assists and three steals for ETBU. Morman finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists. 

Howard Payne will play next at home on December 3rd at 7:30 pm against the University of the Ozarks.