Abram Choate, SID

BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne Yellow Jackets gave the visiting Hardin-Simmons Cowboys 29 free-throw attempts in the game and fall 77-69 in the Brownwood Coliseum on Thursday.

Hardin-Simmons opened up an 8-point halftime lead when Zach Pickelman had a lay-up at the buzzer to end the first half.

HSU led by as many as 15 points at 63-48 with 6:12 to play, before HPU went on a 13-2 rally to cut it to 65-61 with 1:21 to play.

Howard Payne resorted to fouling in the last minute and HSU's Brackett and Pickelman hit nine straight free throws in the final minute to secure the game.

Kendrick Johnson (Houston) led the Yellow Jackets with 26 points on 9-for-21 shooting and 8 assists.

Zach Pickelman had a game-high 36 with 10 rebounds. James Peters added 12 points and Brackett chipped in 11 for HSU.

The Jackets are back in action on Saturday at home versus McMurry University.