LONGVIEW, Texas – The Howard Payne Yellow Jackets even their conference record at 3-3 with a 98-86 win over LeTourneau University at Solheim Arena Monday evening.
LeTourneau held the advantage in the early going, and led by as many as eight points during the first half. A tip-in with 7:16 remaining before halftime gave LeTourneau its largest lead of the game at 26-18.
From there, Howard Payne embarked on an 11-2 run that saw them reclaim a 29-28 lead when Brandon Irwin hit a mid-range jumper and a subsequent free throw with 4:59 remaining. HPU would score six of the next eight points and led by as many as five points during the first half, taking a 45-40 lead into the locker room.
Howard Payne went on a torrid run in which it scored 10 points in mere 1 minute, 21 seconds to stretch a seven-point lead to 68-53 with 13:35 remaining in the second half. Howard Payne never saw their lead dip into single digits the remainder of the contest.
Howard Payne shot 49 percent (16-of-33) from the floor during a 53-point second half. HPU was particularly dangerous from 3-point range, making 57 percent (4-of-7) of their long-range tosses.
Donovan Gardner led all scorers with 21 points on 5 of 8 shooting from the field. He was also a perfect 8 of 8 from the free-throw line and 3 of 4 from behind the arc.
Brandon Irwin followed closely behind with 20 points and five rebounds. Quentin Calloway had 16 points, four assists, and four steals. Joshua Dada had 13 points and Kanyon Payne added 10 points and a game high nine rebounds.
LeTourneau was led by Deitrich Williams and Kendrae Carter with 14 points each. Jarrod Hudgens and Erik Thomas followed with 12 and 11 points respectively.
Howard Payne now stands at 4-6 overall and 3-3 in conference action. LeTourneau falls to 1-8 overall and 0-6 in ASC play.
The Jackets will be in Alpine playing Sul Ross State next Monday at 4:00 pm
