STORM LAKE, Iowa – Howard Payne picked up its first road victory of the season Saturday afternoon, defeating Buena Vista 88-79 at Siebens Fieldhouse.

The Yellow Jackets never trailed, building a 46-31 halftime advantage and maintaining control throughout the second half to improve to 1-1 on the year.

Branden Campbell led Howard Payne with 19 points, shooting 7-for-11 from the field while adding three rebounds. Jace Reed provided a spark off the bench with 14 points and three steals, while Keegan Rowell finished with 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds.

Jaime Puentes added 11 points, all off the bench, and Braylon McGee chipped in nine points. Jackson Tomlin contributed six points and a team-best five assists.

Howard Payne's defensive pressure proved to be the difference. The Yellow Jackets forced 23 Buena Vista turnovers and turned those miscues into 25 points. Howard Payne also recorded 12 steals and scored 21 fast-break points.

The Yellow Jackets shot 46.2 percent (30-of-65) from the floor and knocked down 10 three-pointers. Their bench contributed 43 points in a balanced offensive effort.

Buena Vista was led by Carter Sievers with 21 points. Jaden Jones added 13 points and nine rebounds, while Jayden Brink scored 10 points.

Howard Payne used a 13-1 run early in the first half to build a double-digit lead and pushed its advantage to as many as 23 points before the Beavers mounted a late rally. Buena Vista cut the deficit to nine in the final minutes, but the Yellow Jackets answered at the free-throw line to secure the victory.

COMING UP: The Yellow Jackets hit the road back to Texas after the win to prepare for another trip, this time to Seguin on Tuesday, November 14 to take on Texas Lutheran University. Tip-off is currently set for 5:30 p.m. Central Time.