HPU Loses Heartbreaker To McMurry

Tom Hermann (#33) scored 24 points in the first half and was perfect in the process

Abram Choate, SID

ABILENE, Texas – The Howard Payne Yellow Jackets fall 80-82 to McMurry University after being up 20 points in the second half Saturday in Kimbrell Arena. 

Howard Payne shot 53% from the field in the game and McMurry shot 48%. McMurry outrebounded HPU 25-36. 

The Jackets started the game strong and led 22-12 with 13:10 on the clock. Tom Hermann scored 12 of the Jackets first 14 points. McM battled back and tied the game at 24-24 with 9:50 left in the first. From the 7 minute mark the Jacket went on a 17-0 run to make the score 46-29 with 1:53 left in the half. A Zane Smith 3-pointer with 6 second left in the half gave HPU a 51-31 halftime lead. 

Tom Hermann was perfect from the field in the first half hitting 7 of 7, 4 of 4 from behind the arc, and 6 of 6 from the free-throw line. 

Both teams traded baskets for the first 10 minutes of the second half. McMurry made a run just inside of 10 minutes remaining in the game. HPU lead 74-62 with 4:35 left in the game. A McMurry three-pointer with 3:40 brought them with 9, 65-74. 

McMurry got 2 three-pointers and two-pointer to bring them within 3 80-77 with under 2 minutes to play. A HPU miss and McMurry three-pointer with 15 seconds remaining to tie the game at 80-80. Tom Hermann missed a three-point attempt with 8 seconds left and HPU was called for a loose ball foul with 3 seconds left. McMurry hit both free-throws and HPU's last second shot attempt was no good. McMurry came back from a 20-point second half deficit to defeat HPU 80-82. 

McMurry was led by Dewayne Hall 25 points followed closely by Jonathan Walker with 22. Ricky Burney added 14. 

Tom Hermann finished with a game high 30 points, 5 assists, and 5 steals. Brandon Irwin had 18 and Keith Perry added 11 points. 

The Jackets fall to 4-13, 4-9 in ASC action, while McMurry improves to 12-4, 11-1 in ASC play. 

Howard Payne will be back in action on Thursday at Schreiner University at 7:30 pm
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