Abram Choate, SID
ALPINE, Texas - Sul Ross edged visiting Howard Payne in a 62-58 conference shootout Monday at the Gallego Center.
The Yellow Jackets finished with a 49.1 percent showing from the field against the Lobos. Howard Payne nailed two first half free throws but struggled from the line in the second half at 0 for 3 for a 40 percent finish.
Sul Ross was even from the field shooting 40 percent for the contest including 45 percent from long range. The Lobos converted 13 of 19 shots from the foul line good for 68.4 percent for the night.
Howard Payne led for more than half of the opening period including an 11-point advantage after Lee Scott (Snyder) hit a 12-footer to give the Jackets an 18-7 advantage with 10:28 left in the first.
Sul Ross gradually narrowed the spread and took the lead after a pair of free throws gave SRSU a slim 48-47 lead at the 4:53 mark.
The Lobos then posted a 7-4 sprint to take a 35-31 lead to the half.
Sul Ross pulled ahead by six, 41-35, after Gonzalez converted on a long range jumper at the 16:08 mark.
The Jackets regrouped and assembled a 7-0 run ending on a Kendrick Johnson (Houston) shot from inside the arc to give HPU a one point, 42-41 lead with 14:31 left in regulation.
Sul Ross stole the lead with 12:25 left off a Travis Johnson 3-pointer. The Jackets tied the contest on the next possession on another Kendrick Johnson jump shot. Both teams traded leads over the next five minutes of play.
The Lobos took the advantage after Gonzalez sank two foul shots to give Sul Ross a 58-56 decision with 1:47 left in the game. Howard Payne trimmed the Sul Ross lead to 2 again (60-58) after Sean Wheeler's (San Angelo) shot with 47 seconds left in regulation. A Jacket turnover and foul sent Art Gonzalez to the line once more. Gonzalez dropped both shots with five seconds left to give the Lobos the 62-58 conference victory.
HPU's Kendrick Johnson and Sean Wheeler led the Jackets with 18 and 16 points respectively in the effort.
Sul Ross forward Larry Reese posted a double double of 18 points and 10 rebounds. Art Gonzalez sported 16 points while Travis Johnson added 14 in the win.
The Yellow Jackets will be at home on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. for a non-conference game with Wayland Baptist.
