Abram Choate, SID

BROWNWOOD, TX – The Yellow Jackets come back from a 6-point halftime deficit and outscore the Cowboys of Hardin-Simmons by 15 in the second half to take the win 74-65 on Saturday in the Brownwood Coliseum.

The Yellow Jackets shot 23 second-half free throws, including 17 before the Cowboys had to foul in the final minute. Jr. F Sean Wheeler(San Angelo-Lake View HS) had only 2 points in the first half, but came alive in the second half and scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half including 7-of-11 at the free throw line.

The first half was close as the both teams changed leads a few times in the first 8 minutes. HSU was able to build an 11-point lead at the 7:14 mark on a 3-point play by HSU's Zach Pickelman. HPU then went on a 9-0 run to bring the score within 2 at 2:49 before the half. HSU went into the locker room with a 32-26 lead.

The Cowboys led 43-32 with 15:19 remaining, but the Jackets hit the Cowboys with a 23-6 run to take a 55-49 lead at the 7:16 mark. In the run the Jackets hit 10-of-14 free throws. Wheeler had 12 in the run. HSU's James Peters' 4-point play at the 4:53 mark cut it to 60-59, but HSU would get no closer. Jr. G Jamarcus Johnson(Beaver County CC) hit a 3-pointer with just over a minute to play that put the game on ice.

Jamarcus Johnson led the Jackets with 20 points. Sean Wheeler scored 17 and Sr C Cliff McGuire(Haskell HS) chipped in 12. Sr. G Matt Zinser(Burnet HS) also had 8 points and a game high 13 rebounds.

Zach Pickelman led the HSU Cowboys with 17 points and Mardochee Jean added 16.

The Jackets will be on the road next Thursday, January 21 against Schreiner at 7:30pm in Kerrville.