The Howard Payne University men’s basketball team battled back from a 20-point deficit but fell 73-68 to the Mississippi College at the Brownwood Coliseum Saturday afternoon.
The men were down by 20 points, 61-41 with 8:15 to play in the game. From there, they fought back and went on a 21-5 run to pull within four points, 62-66 with 2:26 left.
The Jackets would have an opportunity to pull within two points, but would miss two free throws and then miss their next two shot attempts. That left only 37 seconds left on the clock, with a five point deficit.
The Jackets pulled to within four again with 10 seconds remaining, but were not able to get a turnover at the end. MC knocked down their free throws and won 73-68.
The Jackets were led by Freshman Guard, Donavon Gardener with 17 points and six rebounds. Henry Valladeres added 10 points and 5 rebounds.
For MC, Ken Black was 11-13 from the floor, finishing with 26 points and eight rebounds, leading the team in both stats.
The Jackets were 16-31 from the free throw line and 22-65 from the floor for the game.
MC out-rebounded the Jackets 49-38, but had 30 turnovers to the Jackets 24.
The Jackets go to 3-5 on the year, and 2-2 in the American Southwest Conference. MC moves to 4-2 and 3-1 in conference.
The next game for the Jackets is at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 against UT-Tyler in Tyler, Texas.
