GEORGETOWN – The Howard Payne Yellow Jackets opened the Nadir Dalleh coaching era Saturday with a 79-70 victory over Southwestern.

The victory snapped a 20-game losing streak for HPU (1-0), which dropped all 18 of its contests a season ago and last landed in the win column Feb. 15, 2020 in a 78-77 decision against McMurry.

The Yellow Jackets led 37-34 halftime and extended their advantage over the final 20 minutes.

HPU shot 38 percent (24 of 64) from the floor, 29 percent (10 of 34) on its treys, and 74 percent (21 of 29) on its free throws. The Yellow Jackets were outrebounded 42-39, but forced 19 turnovers and committed 16.

Myles Brown poured in a team-high 17 points for the Jackets while Frederick Watts chipped in a double-double of 13 points and 12 points. Michael House and Reece Ridder contributed nine points each followed by Jaylan Ballou and Jerren Godfrey with seven each, Desmond Longino with four, Tyler Poag, Harold Myart and Deven Bailey with three points apiece, and Miles Koehler and Evan Adkins with two each.

Southwestern knocked down 41 percent (24 of 58) of its shots, just 22 percent (5 of 23) of its three-pointers and 68 percent (17 of 25) of its attempts at the charity stripe.

Kyle Poerschke led Southwestern with 21 points while Chris Smith Jr. was the only other Pirate in double figures with 17.

The Yellow Jackets will be back in action at 7:30 p.m. Thursday as they welcome Ozarks for the their home and American Southwest Conference opener.