The Howard Payne Yellow Jackets shaved a 19-point second-half deficit to four, but could not complete their comeback attempt as the Concordia Tornados emerged with a 92-84 American Southwest Conference victory Thursday night at the Brownwood Coliseum.

The Yellow Jackets (0-12, 0-8) were plagued by 26 turnovers that resulted in 21 points for Concordia (2-4, 1-4). The Tornados also outscored Howard Payne, 44-28, in the paint, despite the Yellow Jackets’ 39-34 edge in rebounds.

Howard Payne converted 48 percent (29 of 61) of its field goals and 41 percent (13 of 32) of its three-pointers, but just 54 percent (13 of 24) of its free throws. Meanwhile, Concordia sank 52 percent (34 of 65) of its shots, 36 percent (10 of 27) of its treys and 64 percent (14 of 22) of its attempts from the charity stripe.

Michael House led the Yellow Jackets with 25 points followed by Tyrell Thompson with 21, James Helzer with 13 points and a team-high nine rebounds, Jarren Godfrey with eight points, Jaylan Ballou with seven and a team-best 15 assists, Evan Adkins with six points, Reese Ridder with three and Mason Green sank a free throw.

The Concordia charge was spearheaded by Luis Gonzalez with 25 points, Trevon Hester with 20, Alexander Estrada with 16, Antoine Henderson with 14, and Zaid Harris with 11 pointss.

Trailing 88-77 with 54 seconds left, the Yellow Jackets tallied seven points in 16 seconds to trim the deficit to four, 88-84. House began the spurt with a three-pointer, then Thompson scored following a turnover on a Concordia inbounds play. The next time the Tornados attempted to inbound the ball it glanced off the hands of a Concordia player for another turnover. Adkins then hit a floating hook shot in the paint with 38 seconds to go to cut the deficit to four.

Howard Payne failed to score again, however, and Concordia drained four free throws down the stretch for the final margin.

The Yellow Jackets jumped out to a 10-1 lead to open the contest, but by halftime Concordia had seized a 51-41 advantage. The Tornados then scored the first nine points of the second half, completing a 12-0 run, to establish their largest lead, 60-41, with 17:02 remaining.

Howard Payne, which has won twice in its last 40 games dating to the 2018-19 campaign, will attempt to notch its first win of the season at 7 p.m. Saturday as it hosts ASC West leader Mary Hardin-Baylor (10-3, 7-0), an 83-75 winner at Sul Ross Thursday night.

[Story by Derrick Stuckly]