Abram Choate, SID

BROWNWOOD, Texas – The Howard Payne Yellow Jackets use a 15 point first half lead to cruise to a 86-78 victory over the University of the Ozarks in American Southwest Conference action on Saturday.

Howard Payne shot 58.9% from the field and 50% from behind the arc, while holding Ozarks to just 40% shooting.

After an early 5-5 tie, the Yellow Jackets went on an 18-0 run capped by a jumper by Bryan Blalock with 11:39 left in the first half. Howard Payne had a 47-32 advantage at the half.

In the second, HPU extended their lead to as much as 21 on a 3-pointer by Lee Scott with 6:42 to play. From there Ozarks was able to chip-away at the lead but still fell in the end to the Yellow Jackets 86-78.

The Jackets were led by Tom Hermann with a game and career high 30 points on 13 of 17 shooting. Hermann also grabbed a team-high 8 rebounds. Lee Scott added a career high 23 points, Scott was 4 of 6 from behind the arc. Brock Woods had 6 assists.

Habeeb Kareem had 19 points and 11 rebounds. Tony Daniels added 14 points off the bench.

Jackets improve to 2-2 overall, 1-1 ASC, while Ozarks falls to 2-3 overall, 0-2 in the ASC.

Jackets will be on the road at Southwestern Assemblies of God University on Tuesday.