Abram Choate, SID

BELTON, Texas - The Yellow Jackets used an 18 to 6 run in the final 6 minutes to nip the Cru of Mary Hardin-Baylor 81-79 at the Mayburn Center in Belton on Saturday.

UMHB had a strong inside presence and took an early 12-6 lead at the 13:37 mark in the first half. At 9:35, Fr. G Victor Hayes(Del Norte HS) dished it to Fr. F Tom Herman(SW Chr. HS) for the lay-up to make the score 20-17 UMHB. The Jackets then cut the score to 30-29 UMHB on a lay-up by Lee Scott at the 4 minute mark. It was 31-31 on a tip by Jr. F Sean Wheeler(Lake View HS) at 2:40 before halftime. Wheeler was fouled with 11.2 seconds left and hit 1 of 2 to give the Jackets a 38-37 lead, but at the halftime buzzer UMHB's Carter got a tip-in to give UMHB a 39-38 halftime lead.

Jr G Kendrick Johnson(Willowridge HS) started the second half with a 3-pointer to make the score 41-39 HPU. UMHB then went on a 13-4 run to increase their lead to 52-45. UMHB again extended its lead to 63-54 with 9:11 to play in the game sparked by UMHB's Kevin Guyden. Chris Poole hits 2 consecutive 3-pointers to make the score 73-63 UMHB with 6 minutes remaining. The Jackets then went on a 8-2 run to bring the score to 75-74 UMHB with 2:42 to play. HPU took the lead 76-75 on a lay-up by Kendrick Johnson with 2 minutes remaining. Johnson also hits a 3-pointer with 1:02 left to make the score 79-75. With :21 second left So. G Lee Scott(Synder HS) is fouled and makes both free-throws, 81-77 HPU. After a missed free-throw by Sr. C Cliff McGuire(Haskell HS) UMHB's final shot is no good and HPU wins 81-79.

Leaders for HPU were Kendrick Johnson with a game high 23 points, most of which came in the second half. Sean Wheeler had 15 points and 9 rebounds, and Lee Scott finished with 10 points.

UMHB was led by Patrick Oliver and Chris Poole bothe with15 points. Ryan Burgart and Kevin Guyden both also had 13 points in the game.

The Yellow Jackets will be at home this Thursday against Concordia Univerity at Austin in the Brownwood Colisuem at 7:30 pm.