BROWNWOOD, Texas –The Howard Payne University men's basketball team fell 92-80 to nationally ranked University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Thursday evening in the Brownwood Coliseum.

Fredrick Watts led Howard Payne with 20 points and seven rebounds. Watts was 8 of 14 from the field and also recorded four blocks.

The game remained close throughout the first period but Mary Hardin-Baylor put together a run to close out the period leading 45-28 at the break.

18th ranked Mary Hardin-Baylor led the rebounding battle 49-39 but HPU would force 19 UMHB turnovers while committing 14 themselves.

Jerren Godfrey scored 16 points for the Jackets with Myles Brown following with 12 and four assists. Tyrell Thompson added a team high eight rebounds.

UMHB was led by Ty Prince with 28 points and 13 rebounds followed by Josiah Johnson with 26 points.

Howard Payne is now 6-16 overall and 5-12 in American Southwest Conference action. UMHB is 18-2 overall and 13-2 in league play. The Jackets will play their final home basketball game of the season this Saturday at 3:00 pm versus Concordia University Texas. The HPU seniors will be recognized before the game.