BROWNWOOD, Texas – The Howard Payne men's basketball team defense clamped down in the closing minutes to post the 65-60 conference win over LeTourneau University Saturday afternoon at the Brownwood Coliseum.

The Yellow Jackets started the game hot jumping out to an early 16 point lead. Two Khyce Randall free-throws with 11:10 left in the first half made it 21-5 Howard Payne.

Howard Payne would let LeTourneau back into the game pulling within three, 35-32 at the break.

LETU would be able to tie the game a couple of times and even take a three point lead with five minutes remaining in the game.

The Howard Payne defense buckled down sparked by some key steals by Rickey Guillory who recorded four second half steals.

The Yellow Jackets would hit 7-of-10 free-throws in the final two minutes to secure the 65-60 victory over LeTourneau.

Free-throw shooting played a big factor in the game as the Jackets were 25-of-33 (75.8%) from the line while LeTourneau hits only 12-of-21 (57.1%) for the game.

Howard Payne was led by Senior Brandon Gould with a game high 24 points along with four assists and three steals. Senior Sterling Smoak added 11 points and six rebounds. Ty Davis also had 11 points.

LeTourneau was led by Giovanny Thompson with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Kelby Schimming had 15 points and Aaron Frizell followed with 12.

Howard Payne finishes the regular season at 14-11 overall and 14-6 in conference play. LeTourneau ends their season at 5-20 overall and 3-17 in conference. The Jackets will play Mary Hardin-Baylor in the opening round of the ASC Tournament on Thursday at 5:00 pm. The men's ASC tournament is being hosted by East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas.
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