CLARKSVILLE, Arkansas – The Howard Payne University men’s basketball put together a great run to close out the game but fell in the end 94-88 to the University of the Ozarks Saturday afternoon.

Down by 18 points with four minutes to play in the game, the Yellow Jackets battled back to cut the Eagles lead to just five points with 20 seconds left to play. HPU’s James Helzer hit a three-pointer with 20 second left to make the score 93-88.

After Ozarks missed two free-throws with 14 seconds left, a three-pointer by HPU would not fall with nine second remaining. Ozarks then hit 1 of 2 free-throws to secure the game 94-88.

James Helzer and Tyrell Thompson each had 18 points for the Yellow Jackets. Thompson added a team high nine rebounds. Evan Atkins had a career high 17 points. Jaylan Ballou and Michael House each added 12 points. Ballou posted a team high five assists.

The Jackets were great at the free-throw line hitting 34 of 40 for 85.0% while scoring a season high 64 points in the second half of the game.

Ozarks was led by Bryson Johnson with 25 points followed by Zach Byrd with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

Howard Payne now stands at 0-11 overall and 0-7 in American Southwest Conference action. Ozarks is 2-2 overall and 2-1 in league play. The Jackets will play next on Feb. 4th at home versus Concordia University Texas at 7:30 pm.

[Story courtesy of HPUsports.com]