Abram Choate, SID

DALLAS, Texas - The Howard Payne Yellow Jackets held a 37-30 halftime lead but were unable to hold on losing 85-71 to the Comets of the University of Texas at Dallas Monday evening.

A rejuvinated Yellow Jacket team gave UTD its biggest challenge of the season Monday after a big road win at UT-Tyler and ran out to a 37-30 first-half lead on the Comets.

HPU nailed 10 three-pointers to keep things interesting, but UTD answered with nine of its own. UTD, which had shot just 35.5% in the first half, came out strong in the second period and put up 55 points in the half on its way to the 14-point win, 85-71. 

HPU was led by Kendrick Johnson (Houston) with 24 points. Josh Weatherred's (Amarillo) 6 of 12 shooting from behind the arc got him 18 points while Sean Wheeler (San Angelo) scored 12. Craig Blackman (Houston) came of the bench to score 13.

Travis Carruthers finished with 24 points and Martin Salinas had 17. Mike McKee with 15 and Scott Rodgers with 10 also finished with double-figure scoring nights for UT-Dallas.

The Yellow Jackets will play next on Dec. 30 at Stephen F. Austin.