ABILENE – Howard Payne University lead NCAA D-I Abilene Christian University 33-29 at the half but after a second half run would lose 70-56 in a non-conference men's basketball game at Moody Coliseum.
 
Howard Payne led Tuesday's night game against ACU 33-29 at halftime and led by seven points (38-31) in the second half holding the Wildcats to 12 of 30 shooting in the opening period. The Yellow Jackets pushed their lead to seven points on a 3-pointer by Khyce Randall with 17:36 left in the game before the Wildcats went on a run.
 
ACU used a 22-2 run that pushed the Wildcats into the lead in a stretch of a little more than seven minutes. Finding themselves down by as much as 15 points with just under five minutes remaining, the Jackets would cut the ACU lead to ten with under a minute to play but would fall 70-56 in the end.

Though the rebounding game was virtually even (33-32 ACU), the Jackets force 16 ACU turnovers. ACU would lead in points in the paint 36-20 over Howard Payne.

Howard Payne was led by Rickey Guillory with a game high 17 points along with six rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Khyce Randall followed with 16 points and six rebounds. Curtis Gile grabbed a team high seven rebounds and Evan Vaden scored seven off the bench for the Jackets.
 
Jaylen Franklin led the Wildcats with 15 points and three steals, while Duren Porter had 13 points and six rebounds.

The Yellow Jackets fall to 0-2 with the loss and the Wildcats are now 2-0 on the season. Howard Payne will play at Austin College in Sherman, Texas on Thursday at 7:00 pm.