Abram Choate, SID

ALPINE, Texas - C.J. Acosta of Sul Ross State University posted his sixth double-double of the season to help the Lobos to an 89-82 home conference win over Howard Payne on Monday night.

Sul Ross led for most of the opening period but by no more than 10 points as the Sul Ross went to the break with a 43-35 advantage.

The Lobos spread the gap by 10 with a jumper by Aaron Hardwick to open the second half with Sul Ross leading HPU, 45-35 at the 18:58 mark. Sul Ross then put up a 15 point lead before Howard Payne narrowed the spread by 2, 73-71 with 3:02 left in regulation. Two shots from long range by Hooper and Escobar put SRSU on top 79-71 with 2:04 left in the contest. HPU pulled within 2 again with 27 seconds left, 84-82. Sul Ross went on a 5-0 run with a series of free throws which put the Lobos up for the 89-82 final.

HPU's Sean Wheeler(San Angelo, TX) led the Yellow Jacket scorers with 26 points. Center Cliff McGuire(Haskell, TX) sported a double-double of 13 points and 16 boards. Kendrick Johnson(Houston, TX) also added 14 points and 6 assists.

Sidney Hooper led scorers with 27 points followed by Tury Escobar's 22.

The Yellow Jackets are back at home this Thursday against Texas Lutheran at 7:30 pm.