Howard Payne’s Brandon Irwin posted a double-double in an 83-76 HPU victory over conference opponent Louisiana College Thursday night at the Brownwood Coliseum.

Howard Payne shot a red hot 57% from the field in the opening half and held a 48-26 advantage at the break.

Midway through the second half, LC made a run and cut the score to just two with 2:51 to play in the game. The Jackets outscored LC 9-4 in the closing minutes to record the 83-76 win.

HPU outrebounded to taller LC team 49-39 and finished shooting 48% from the field to LC’s 40%.

Brandon Irwin’s double-double led the Jackets with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Donovan Gardner, who hit key buckets down the stretch, had 14 points and eight rebounds. Joshua Dada and Quentin Calloway finished 13 and 12 points respectively.

LC was led by Jarrod Jackson with a game high 22 points. JeLani Mitchell had 14 points with Phillip George and Korey Salmon adding 12 points each.

Howard Payne’s record goes to 3-4 overall and 2-1 in ASC play, while LC falls to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in ASC action.

The Jackets will play next on Saturday at home against Mississippi College, a 3:00 pm start time.