SEGUIN, Texas - The Howard Payne University men's basketball team drops its final non-conference game of the season 77-71 at  Texas Lutheran University Saturday afternoon.

Howard Payne was led by Harold Myart with 15 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Jarod Johnson and Armonie Ramey followed with 11 points each. Ramey also pulled down a team-high seven rebounds. Ashton McKenzie finished with eight points and dished out a game and career-high six assists.

The Yellow Jackets shot 44.1% from the field in the game while holding Texas Lutheran to 37.3% shooting from the floor. HPU held a 39-37 rebounding advantage but it would be 25 of 29 (86.2%) free-throw shooting for TLU that played a big factor in the game. HPU only had nine free-throw attempts in the game.

After trailing 45-38 at the half, the Jackets took a slight lead midway through the second half. With both teams going back and forth, Howard Payne would trail by one, 68-67 after a dunk by Armonie Ramey with 2:51 left to play. HPU would get opportunities down the stretch but came up short in the 77-71 final.

TLU was led by Riley Fornerette with 25 points followed by Mason Green with 14 points.

Howard Payne is now 2-12 overall and TLU stands at 8-5 on the year. The Yellow Jackets will start the heart of American Southwest Conference play next week on Thursday at home versus East Texas Baptist at 7:30 pm and Saturday versus LeTourneau at 3:00 pm in the Brownwood Coliseum.