NATCHITOCHES, Louisiana – The Howard Payne University men's basketball team defeated Louisiana College 74-68 in a tough fought contest on Tuesday night that saw five lead changes over the span of the game.
The Jackets (7-5, 5-1 ASC) made 13 of their 15 free throws while the Wildcats (2-7, 0-5 ASC) struggled from the line, converting just 12-21 attempts from the free throw line. In a close game, the free-throws proved to be a difference-maker down the stretch and Howard Payne capitalized on those opportunities to get the win.
Khyce Randall continued his hot shooting, going 4-6 from distance and finishing with 22 points. Rickey Guillory led all players with 24 points while also tallying six rebounds and three steals. Donovan Jenkins finished with 12 rebounds and four assists and De'Marcus Hurd added nine points to help Howard Payne collect their first road victory of the season.
Louisiana College led the entire first half, at times going up by as many as seven points before a De'Marcus Hurd three-pointer gave the Jackets a 24-23 lead with just under four minutes left to play in the half. Howard Payne would go on to lead by as many as seven points before ending the first half up, 37-32.
The second half mirrored the first as neither team led by more than seven points at any time while the game changed hands two times before Howard Payne settled down and used the hot shooting of Khyce Randall and Rickey Guillory to pull away near the end and capture their ASC-West leading fifth win.
Louisiana College did take a brief one point lead, 63-62 with 4:21 left after Taylan Grogan drained a three from the outside. However, De'Marcus Hurd hit another crucial three to give Howard Payne a lead they wouldn't relinquish the rest of the way.
Khyce Randall settled in, drove to the lane, created contact and got to the free throw line. He finished the game making four straight free throws in the final minute to help give the Jackets the 74-68 victory.
Howard Payne now rests in first place in the ASC West with a 5-1 record and head to Jackson, Mississippi to face Belhaven University on Thursday, January 5th at 7:30 PM. Fans can find live stats and video at HPUSports.com and follow along on Twitter, @HPUmbsk for in-game updates and more.
