The Howard Payne University men’s basketball team loses 83-63 to McMurry University Thursday night at the Brownwood Coliseum.

In the first half, the Jackets held a three point lead early on, but would not be able to handle McMurry’s run to end the half. The Jackets went into the locker room down 40-31.

In the second, HPU would never be able catch back up and would go down by as much as 25 points halfway through the second.

The leading scorer for HPU was Brandon Irwin with 20 points. Michael Thompson finished with a double-double for 12 points and 11 rebounds along with five steals. Zane Smith added six assists.

McMurry had five players in double digits, led by Derick Sumpter with 16 points. Steven Jones had 16 rebounds and nine points.

The Jackets were outrebounded 53 to 30, and doubled up in the paint scoring only 20 points to McMurry’s 40.

The Jackets fall to 5-19 overall on the season and 4-16 in the American Southwest Conference. McMurry goes to 17-7 overall and 15-5 in the ASC.

The Jackets wrap up their season at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb 19. at the Brownwood Coliseum against Hardin-Simmons University.