Howard Payne showed resilience on the road Tuesday night, battling through adversity before falling 94–64 to Centenary in Shreveport.
The Yellow Jackets ran into a hot-shooting Centenary team, but there were encouraging signs throughout the contest, especially after halftime. Howard Payne struggled to find a rhythm offensively in the opening period, but the group responded with a much sharper second half, shooting over 56 percent from the floor after the break and knocking down nearly 44 percent of its three-point attempts. The improved efficiency reflected better ball movement and poise against pressure.
Nathan Scott provided a spark off the bench, leading the team with 8 points while attacking the rim and finishing efficiently. Carter May added 7 points and brought energy on both ends of the floor, while Connor Yocom made the most of his minutes, converting all of his field goal attempts to score 5 points.
Veterans Trey Jackson and Armonie Ramey continued to compete throughout the night, battling inside and creating opportunities despite tough defensive coverage. Jackson contributed on the glass and helped anchor the interior, while Ramey's effort and aggressiveness were evident as he attacked the lane and drew contact.
The second-half response stood out as a positive takeaway for Howard Payne. After a difficult start, the Yellow Jackets adjusted offensively, pushed the tempo, and showed improved execution that translated into quality looks and better shooting numbers. That resilience and growth provide something to build on as the team prepares for its next stretch of conference play.
While the final score did not swing in Howard Payne's favor, the effort, second-half efficiency, and contributions from several players offered encouraging signs moving forward.