The Howard Payne men’s basketball team held on and didn’t let go of their halftime lead in an 83-76 win over the Bulldogs of Texas Lutheran University Saturday at the Brownwood Coliseum. 

Brandon Irwin had 25 points to lead the Jackets; Zane Smith added 14, Kanyon Payne got 9 points and 7 rebounds to lead the team.

Bulldog Center, Henry Flores led the team 26 points. Isaac Williams ended the game with a double double on 14 points and 12 rebounds.

The Yellow Jackets shot well, 51 percent on 28 of 55 shooting. They also were 7 of 14 from outside the arc for 50 percent. TLU was 48 percent on 31 of 64 shooting, and was only 33 percent from three on 5 of 15 shooting.
The Yellow Jackets move to 4-15 on the season and 4-11 in the American Southwest Conference action. TLU falls to 5-14 overall and 3-12 in the ASC.

The next game for the Yellow Jackets is Feb. 4 away in Kerrville against Schreiner University.