BEAUMONT, Texas - The Howard Payne University men's basketball team started its 2016-2017 season with a 90-47 exhibition loss at NCAA D-I Lamar University Friday evening on the road.

Khyce Randall led the Yellow Jackets with 12 points along with eight rebounds and three assists. Rickey Guillory followed with 10 points and a game high 10 rebounds in the loss. 

The Yellow Jackets were held to just 28% (14-of-50) shooting from the field and 15% (2-of-13) from behind the arc. The Jackets also did not fair well at the free-throw line going connecting on 17 of 35 attempts (48.6%).

When the two teams met up last season the Jackets only found themselves down nine at the half but it was not the same this year with the Jackets trailing 53-22 at the break. Howard Payne was near even with Lamar in the rebounding battle down just 42-41 on the night.

HPU's J Bailey finished with six points and seven rebounds and Shadd Cole and De'Marcus Hurd added five points each for the Jackets.

Lamar was led by Josh Nzeakor with a game high 20 points followed by Colton Weisbrod with 15 points and eight rebounds. 

Howard Payne will start its regular season on Saturday, Nov, 19th versus D-II Angelo State at 6:00 pm and then will take on Eastern New Mexico the next day at 1:00 pm. The Jackets' home opener will be on Tuesday, Nov. 29th at 7:30 pm versus Southwestern University. Be sure to follow the Jackets on Twitter @HPUmbsk.