The Howard Payne men’s basketball team’s late push came up short and HPU fell 87-83 to Concordia University Texas in American Southwest Conference action Thursday night. 

Concordia jumped out to an early 15-4 lead. The Yellow Jackets gathered themselves and cut the Concordia lead to 2, 20-18 on a Zane Smith layup with 7:23 left in the first half. It remained about the same the rest of the half and Concordia led 34-33 at the break. 

The Yellow Jackets were able to take the lead twice in the second half with their last lead at the 9:37 mark, 53-52. Concordia regained the lead and slowly pulled away.

Down 11, 80-69 with 1:32 left in the game, Howard Payne put together a late run scoring 15 points in the closing minute and a half. John Bryant hit a three-pointer with .6 seconds left on the clock to bring the score 85-84 Concordia. 

After a HPU foul, Concordia hit both free-throws, 87-84 Concordia. Going the length of the floor in .3 seconds, HPU was unable to get a shot off. Despite shooting 46.7% and holding Concordia to 36.5% from the field the Jackets fell 87-84. 

The game came down to free-throws with Concordia hitting 32 of 43 for 74.4%. HPU was 21 of 34 for 61.8%. The Jackets were also outrebounded 45 to 38 in the game. 

Brandon Irwin finished with a game high 23 points. Henry Valladares had a career high 17 points all in the second half. Keith Perry had 16 points, Zane Smith had 13 and John Bryant finished with 12. Smith also added 5 steals. 

Concordia was led by Brad Walker with 23 points and 12 rebounds followed closely by Nick Haynes with 21. Reza Farahani and Kenny Williams had 12 and 11 points respectively. 

HPU falls to 2-12 overall and 2-8 in ASC play, while Concordia improves to 7-7, 5-5 in ASC action. 

Howard Payne will be in Belton on Saturday to play the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor at 3:00 pm.