Jackets Improve to 2-0 on the Season
BROWNWOOD, Texas – The Howard Payne University men's basketball team capped off the night at the Brownwood Coliseum with a 99–90 win over Texas Lutheran, finishing a Saturday doubleheader that saw both HPU programs take to the hardwood. The men followed the women's earlier match up by improving to 2–0 on the season with another high-scoring, energetic performance on their home floor.
The Jackets' offense caught fire in the second half, outscoring the Bulldogs 55–46 after entering the break tied at 44. Howard Payne shot 47.9 percent from the field and found its rhythm behind balanced scoring, with six players contributing at least 10 points.
Armonie Ramey and Ben Phillip led the way with 20 points apiece. Ramey attacked the paint all night, finishing 7-for-13 from the floor while grabbing seven rebounds and adding two steals. Phillip provided the outside spark, draining four three-pointers and pulling down seven boards of his own.
Trey Jackson added 16 points and five rebounds, and Avant Coleman made a big impact off the bench with 15 points in just 16 minutes. Jordan McClendon chipped in 11 points on a near-perfect 5-for-6 shooting effort, while Braylon Crosby filled the stat sheet with 10 points, five assists, and five rebounds.
HPU dominated the interior with 48 points in the paint and a 42–45 rebounding edge, converting 18 Texas Lutheran turnovers into 18 points on the other end. The Jackets' tempo and pressure defense wore down the Bulldogs late, helping them pull away for the nine-point victory.
Howard Payne (2–0) will look to keep its momentum rolling as it continues non-conference play next week, carrying its offensive rhythm and energy from a successful home opening weekend on Monday, November 10th VS McMurry University at 7:00pm in Brownwood, TX.
