BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University men's basketball team battled back from a 16 point second half deficit but fall in the end 82-78 to Sul Ross State University Saturday afternoon at the Brownwood Coliseum.

In the game that featured nine lead changes, the Yellow Jackets would win the rebounding battle 51-47 over the Lobos but Sul Ross would connect on 11 three point buckets on the night.

With Howard Payne holding a 36-35 halftime lead, Sul Ross would hit eight second half three-pointers to open up a  double digit second half lead. 

Down 71-55 with 9:10 remaining in the game, the Jackets began to chip away at the lead and would get it to single digits with a 7-0 run two minutes later. 

Howard Payne cut the Lobo lead to three, 81-78 with 24 seconds remaining but a free throw by Sul Ross and a missed three-pointer by the Jackets led to the 82-78 final.

The Jackets had balance scoring with five in double digits. Shadd Cole led HPU with 18 points followed Tim Aguero with 15 points, six assists and three steals. Luke Cox was 3 of 6 from behind the arc finishing with 11 points. Thomas Bingham and Javaris Jones each added 10 points, Bingham also had a game high nine rebounds and four blocks.

Sul Ross was led by Tristen Licon with 22 points followed by BJ Hollis with 11 points and nine rebounds.

Howard Payne is now 3-13 overall and 1-6 in American Southwest Conference action. Sul Ross stands at 8-8 overall and 3-4 in league play. The Jackets will be on the road next week in Abilene, Texas, Thursday at Hardin-Simmons at 7:30 pm and Saturday at McMurry at 3:00 pm.