Howard Payne men's basketball saw its 2025-26 season come to a close Friday night in Abilene, Texas, falling to Hardin-Simmons in the first round of the ASC Championship.
In a high-scoring battle inside the Mabee Complex, the Yellow Jackets put together a strong offensive performance, finishing with 93 points in a 98-93 contest that remained tight deep into the second half.
Jordan McClendon led the way offensively, pouring in 23 points on 7-of-14 shooting and going 8-for-9 from the free throw line. He attacked the basket with confidence and kept HPU within striking distance throughout the night.
Armonie Ramey added 13 points, while Avant Coleman contributed 12, giving the Jackets multiple scoring options. Ben Phillip and Carter May each chipped in 11 points, with Phillip knocking down a pair of three-pointers. May also controlled the glass, pulling down 11 rebounds to record a double-double and anchor the interior effort.
Nathan Scott added 10 points, and Braylon Crosby facilitated the offense with 6 assists to go along with 8 points, helping keep the ball moving and the tempo steady.
As a team, Howard Payne shot 43.9 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-point range, while also finishing strong at the free throw line. The Jackets battled on the boards, collecting 47 rebounds in a determined effort against the tournament host.
Though the result did not go their way, the Yellow Jackets showed fight until the final buzzer. The performance in Abilene served as a fitting reflection of the group's competitiveness and resilience throughout the season.
"I'm proud of the way our guys competed tonight," said head coach Nadir Dalleh. "To come into Abilene against the host team and put up 93 points says a lot about the belief and growth in that locker room. We didn't back down. We shared the ball, we rebounded, and we fought until the final horn.
With the ASC Championship Tournament marking the final chapter of the 2025-26 campaign, Howard Payne closes the year having laid groundwork to build on moving forward.
