SHERMAN – The Howard Payne University men’s basketball team held Austin College to just 32.9% shooting in an 82-65 Yellow Jacket victory Friday evening to open the 2022-2023 season.

While forcing 22 Austin College turnovers, Howard Payne connected on 51.6% of its shots, 55.5% in the second half.

Leading 31-29 at the half, the Yellow Jackets used a double-digit scoring run midway through the second half to extend their lead to double-digits.

HPU led by as much as 22 points, 80-58 on a Tyler Poag layup with just under two minutes to play.

The Yellow Jackets dominated in points in the paint 52-28 and bench points 58-22.

HPU was led by Jerren Godfrey with a game-high 18 points and five assists, Jarod Johnson finished with 16 points and four assists, Harold Myart had 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.

Austin College was led by Jackson Rennie with 17 points.

Howard Payne starts the season at 1-0 and Austin College now stands at 1-1. The Yellow Jackets will play next on Tuesday, November 15th versus Southwestern University at home, tipoff at 7:30 pm.

[Story, photo courtesy of HPUSports.com]