Howard Payne’s Brandon Gould scored 15 points and hit 11 of 11 free-throws to help secure a 59-55 conference win for the Yellow Jackets over visiting East Texas Baptist University Saturday afternoon.
Neither team shot the ball well in the game but it was the Yellow Jackets that hit 26 of 33 free-throw attempts, 15 more attempts that ETBU.
Both teams shot under 33% from the field in the first half with the Jackets holding a 24-19 halftime lead.
HPU extended their lead to open the second half and led by as much as 14 with 14:51 left in the game. ETBU then put together a run to come within one midway through the second.
With the game tied at 55-55 with :40 seconds remaining and HPU’s Brandon Gould and Michael Thompson would each hit two free-throws to secure the 59-55 conference win.
Gould added four assists to his game high 15 points. Christian Davis followed with 14 points and six rebounds. JaKalan Gayden blocked five shots for the Jackets.
Erby Thompson led ETBU with 15 and was 10 of 12 from the free-throw line.
Howard Payne stands at 2-5 overall and 1-4 in conference. ETBU falls to 3-6 overall and 0-4 in ASC action.
Howard Payne will play in the Southwestern University tournament in Georgetown, Texas on Monday and Tuesday. They will take on Trinity University on Monday and host Southwestern the next day.
Howard Payne University guard Kayla Scott scored a career high 23 points to lead the Lady Jackets to an 81-73 conference win over East Texas Baptist Saturday afternoon.
The HPU Lady Jackets only shot 36% from the field but hit 10 of 24 three-point attempts for 42%. ETBU shot 50% from the field and outrebounded HPU 53-45 but committed 23 turnovers to just 13 for the Lady Jackets.
HPU jumped out to an early 14-1 lead but allowed ETBU to get back into the game with an 11-3 run. ETBU would take the lead and hold a 35-34 halftime advantage.
The Lady Jackets regained the lead early in the second half and would go on to outscore ETBU 47-38 in the half to post the 81-73 win.
Kayla Scott led HPU with a career high 23 points sparked by 4 of 7 shooting from behind the arc. Dana Marrs and Britani Gattis each finished with 13. Tresta Donahoo had 10 points with a game high 6 assists.
ETBU’s Mary Slaughter led all scorers with 37 points and 18 rebounds. Adaeze Alonu had 12 and Brandace Latin had 11.
HPU is now 6-1 overall and 4-1 in ASC play. ETBU falls to 5-3 overall and 2-2 in conference. The Lady Jackets will play next in the Oglethorpe University Tournament on December 20th and 21st in Atlanta, GA. They will take on Luther College first before playing host Oglethorpe the next day.