The Howard Payne University men's basketball team battled to the final moments Monday afternoon, coming up just short in a 99–97 road loss to Buena Vista University at Siebens Fieldhouse. The Yellow Jackets showed resilience throughout the contest, trading momentum in a back-and-forth game that featured multiple lead changes and ties.

Senior guard Armonie Ramey delivered a strong all-around performance to lead HPU, finishing with a team-high 22 points while pulling down 12 rebounds and collecting six steals. Ramey's energy on both ends of the floor kept the Yellow Jackets within striking distance throughout the game and fueled several transition opportunities.

Trey Jackson provided a steady offensive presence with 19 points, attacking the basket and making key plays in traffic. Jackson Tomlin added 15 points, knocking down timely shots and helping Howard Payne stay competitive during key stretches of the second half.

The Yellow Jackets also received solid contributions from multiple players across the lineup. Ben Phillip scored 13 points, while Jordan McClendon added 11 in valuable minutes. Avant Coleman chipped in eight points and brought consistent effort on the glass and defensively. Howard Payne finished with 54 points in the paint and 27 fast-break points, highlighting an aggressive offensive approach.

Despite the result, Howard Payne pushed a quality opponent down to the final possession and showed encouraging balance on the offensive end. The competitive effort and individual performances provide positives to build on as the Yellow Jackets continue through their schedule.