ABILENE, Texas - The Howard Payne University men's basketball team fell 90-53 to D-I Abilene Christian University Tuesday evening at the Moody Coliseum.

Howard Payne could not keep up with a late first half push by Abilene Christian as the Wildcats used a 32-22 rebounding advantage and 28 Yellow Jacket turnovers on the night to gain control in the game.

The Yellow Jackets started strong keeping the game to within single digits. With Abilene Christian leading by five, 27-22, the Wildcats went on a 13-3 run over the last five minutes of the half to lead 45-25 at the break.

The Jackets would stay within 20 or so throughout the second half eventually ending in the 90-53 final.

Howard Payne shot 45% from the field in the game and out shot ACU from the three-point line connecting on 42.9% of attempts compared to just 30% for ACU. Neither team shot the ball well from the free-throw line, HPU was at 56.3% and ACU finished 55.6% from the line.

Javaris Jones led HPU with 13 points on 5 of 8 shooting overall and 3 of 6 shooting from behind the arc. Shadd Cole and Timothy Aguero each added six points, Aguero also had three assists and Cole grabbed five rebounds.

ACU was led by Joe Pleasant with 15 points followed by Payten Ricks with 14 points.

The Yellow Jackets will travel to Centenary College on Thursday for a 7:00 pm tip off before returning for their home opener on Saturday, Dec. 1st versus UT Dallas at 3:00 pm.