SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Howard Payne University men's basketball team opened its exhibition schedule Thursday night with a 135-66 loss to the Texas State Bobcats at Strahan Arena.
The Yellow Jackets jumped out to an early 5-2 lead behind consecutive baskets from Keegan Rowell before the Bobcats responded with a dominant run to take a 64-30 advantage into halftime.
Jace Reed led Howard Payne with 10 points and five rebounds. Connor Yocom added nine points on three made 3-pointers, while Rowell and Braylon McGee each scored seven points. Amaree Garmon chipped in six points.
Howard Payne connected on 12 3-pointers and received 48 points from its bench. Defensively, the Yellow Jackets forced 14 turnovers and recorded 11 steals, including a team-high three by Jordan Willis.
The Yellow Jackets shot 23 of 73 (31.5%) from the field and 12 of 46 (26.1%) from beyond the arc. Texas State finished 46 of 76 (60.5%) from the floor and held a 62-27 advantage on the boards.
Paul Djobet paced the Bobcats with 21 points, while Ronald Jessamy added 19 and KJ Younger scored 17.
Seventeen different Yellow Jackets scored as Howard Payne utilized 18 players in the exhibition contest.
UP NEXT: Howard Payne will travel to Huntsville on Saturday, November 7 to face another Division I opponent in the Sam Houston State Bearkats. Tip off from the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum is set for 2:00 p.m. Central Time.
