BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University men's basketball team defeated McMurry University 78-77 in a thriller at the Brownwood Coliseum Saturday afternoon.

With both teams playing to a 43-43 halftime score, Howard Payne used a solid defensive effort in the second to down McMurry 78-77. The two teams also had a battle in Abilene on Jan. 9th with McMurry prevailing 98-96 in overtime. 

The Yellow Jackets held the War Hawks to just 32.5% shooting in the second while forcing 21 total turnovers in the game.

HPU's Jase Miguez led the Jackets with 20 points on 4 of 6 shooting from behind the arc. Jaylan Ballou, Luke Cox and Jayden Modrall each added nine points. Ballou dished out a game high five assists and Talen Davis and Tyrell Thompson each grabbed seven rebounds.

McMurry was led by Dedrick Berry with 18 points followed by Khalil Butler with 16 points.

The Jackets now stand at 2-21 overall and 1-13 in American Southwest Conference play. McMurry falls to 7-16 overall and 4-10 in league action. Howard Payne will play next at home on Thursday, Feb. 20th versus Mary Hardin-Baylor at 7:30 pm.