HOUSTON –The Howard Payne men’s basketball team shot 51.5 percent from deep on the way to a 100-90 victory over the Dillard Bleu Devils at Jerabeck Activity and Athletic Center Friday.

The Yellow Jackets (3-3) had three players score in double figures, led by Hudson Johnson, who had 24 points, five assists and two steals. Ben Phillip added 21 points and Trey Jackson chipped in as well with 10 points and five assists.

Howard Payne shared the ball well in Friday’s game, racking up 28 assists on 38 made field goals. Johnson’s five assists paced the Yellow Jackets and Jackson also helped out with five assists of his own.

Howard Payne forced 19 Dillard turnovers. The Yellow Jackets turned those takeaways into 17 points on the offensive end of the floor. Johnson’s two steals led the way for Howard Payne.

How It Happened

After falling behind 36-35, Howard Payne went on a 12-0 run with 6:14 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Jackson, to take a 47-36 lead. The Yellow Jackets then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 53-44 advantage. Howard Payne relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down 11 shots to account for 33 of its 53 points.

Howard Payne kept its lead intact before going on a 10-0 run to grow the lead to 63-46 with 17:02 to go in the contest. The Bleu Devils narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Yellow Jackets still cruised the rest of the way for the 100-90 win. Howard Payne got out on the break in the period, scoring 13 fast break points.

Game Notes

» The Yellow Jackets made over half of their attempts from three point range, knocking down 17 of 33 shots.
» Howard Payne never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» The Yellow Jackets put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 74 percent of made field goals.
» Howard Payne had a 41-38 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Howard Payne defense forced 19 turnovers.
» Hudson Johnson had a game-high 24 points and Ben Phillip added 21.
» Howard Payne got a game-high 14 rebounds from Armonie Ramey.

The Jackets are facing the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas on Saturday, November 23rd. Tip off is set for 2 P.M.