Abram Choate, SID

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. - The Yellow Jackets held a 45-37 halftime lead but the University of the Ozarks rallied to a 86-74 victory over Howard Payne University on Saturday afternoon in American Southwest Conference action.

Ozarks had a 6-5 lead early in the game, but Howard Payne used four three-pointers and hit 8-of 10 (80%) from the free throw line to maintain a 45-37 halftime advantage.

In the second half, Ozarks held HPU to just 12 points through the first 15 minutes of the second half. Howard Payne opened the second half with a three-pointer, but the Eagles went on a 19-8 run over the next nine minutes to take a narrow 58-56 lead. Ozarks forward Habeeb Kareem also got hot in the second half, scoring 17 points, including a stretch where he hit four straight inside shots.

The Yellow Jackets would quickly tie the contest, but Ozarks scored on a layup to begin a 11-0 spurt, giving the Eagles a 69-58 advantage with 6:39 remaining. Ozarks then increased its lead to 75-60 when Kareem hit a jumper at the 4:49 mark. Ozarks held on for the 86-74 victory.

HPU was led by Sean Wheeler (San Angelo) and Kendrick Johnson (Houston) 14 points each. Lee Scott (Snyder) chipped in 13 while Josh Weatherred (Amarillo) added 12 points. Forward Tom Hermann (Fort Worth) had a game-high 12 rebounds.

The Ozark inside players of Kareem and David Green combined for 39 points on 15-of-21 shooting (71%) from the field. Kareem ended with a game-high 25 points. Ted Beard followed with 17 points and Green finished with 14 points on a perfect 6-of-6 from the field. Clint McHenry had a team-high 10 rebounds.