[Story courtesy of HPUSports.com]

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. – The Howard Payne University men’s basketball team shot over 50% from the field in the second half to claim an 83-80 conference victory at the University of the Ozarks Thursday evening.

Down 40-34 at the half, Howard Payne outscored Ozarks by nine using 55.5% shooting from the field and holding the Eagles to just 16% shooting from the arc to pick up the 83-80 win.

HPU’s Riley Fornerette hit a three-point bucket with 1.5 seconds remaining in the game to give the Yellow Jackets the lead 83-80. HPU would steal the Ozarks inbound pass to secure the victory.

Hudson Johnson led the Yellow Jackets with 24 points on 10 of 19 shooting, he added five rebounds, four assists, and three steals to his numbers. Jarod Johnson finished with 15 points followed by Armonie Ramey with 14 points and seven rebounds.

Ben Phillip and Myles Brown each had ten points and Luke Whidbee grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds for the Jackets.

Ozarks was led by Justice Marmara with 30 points and ten rebounds.

Howard Payne is now 10-7 overall and 4-5 in American Southwest Conference play. Ozarks stands at 6-10 overall and 1-7 in league action. The Yellow Jackets will be at UT Dallas in Richardson, Texas on Saturday for a 3:00 pm conference game.