Howard Payne men's basketball fought hard in a spirited ASC Conference matchup with Mary Hardin-Baylor Saturday at Brownwood Coliseum, ultimately falling 110–90. The Yellow Jackets showed grit and flashes of excellence throughout the afternoon, highlighted by strong individual efforts and an enthusiastic crowd that enjoyed the Eastland Old Rips at halftime for another round of Granny Basketball.

Mary Hardin-Baylor jumped out early and steadily built a lead, finishing with a 52–49 advantage at the half before extending it in the second. Despite the final score, Howard Payne had bright moments on both ends of the floor. The Jackets used balanced scoring and aggressive play to stay competitive, particularly in key bursts that kept the game engaging.

Ben Phillip led the Yellow Jackets with a team-high 22 points, knocking down four three-pointers and playing with relentless energy. Carter May added 10 points and pulled down 11 rebounds, providing a strong presence inside. Avant Coleman chipped in 12 points, while Trey Jackson scored 10 and contributed on the glass. Jordan McClendon added eight points and played solid minutes off the bench.

HPU shot 46.4 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from beyond the arc, showing that the offense could strike from multiple spots even when facing a tough defensive foe. The Jackets also got effort plays and hustle from several contributors throughout the rotation.

At halftime, fans were treated to a fun showdown featuring the Eastland Old Rips in a lively Granny Basketball contest, bringing laughs and crowd energy before the second half tipped.

While the loss dropped Howard Payne to 12–9 on the season and 0–2 in American Southwest Conference play, there were plenty of positives to build on as the Jackets continue through the season.