BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University men's basketball team battled to the end in an 87-81 loss to Concordia University Texas Saturday afternoon at the Brownwood Coliseum.

Howard Payne fought back from a double digit deficit with just under five minutes remaining to within four, 79-75 with just over two minutes left.

A Joshua Taylor layup with 14 seconds kept the Jackets within five but the Tornados secured the game with a free-throw 87-81.

Much of the game came down to play in the paint with Concordia out rebounding the Jackets 41-39 and leading in points in the paint 32-22.

Howard Payne was led by Jase Miguez with 21 points. Jacob Smith followed with 13 points and Jaylan Ballou added 10 points and five assists.

Phillip Meikle led Concordia with 19 points followed by Zaid Harris with 14 points.

The Jackets end the season at 2-23 overall and 1-15 in American Southwest Conference action. Concordia stands at 12-13 overall and 7-6 in league play.