The Howard Payne Yellow Jackets fell victim to a season sweep by American Southwest Conference West Division front-runner Sul Ross, as the Lobos chalked up a 91-73 road victory Saturday afternoon at the Brownwood Coliseum.
With the loss, the sixth in the last outings for HPU, the Yellow Jackets (8-13, 4-9) remained at the bottom of the ASC West standings, still 1 ½ games behind Hardin-Simmons (8-14, 6-8) for the fourth and final postseason berth with four games left on the docket.
Sul Ross improved to 16-5 overall and 11-2 in conference play with the victory, 2 ½ games clear of runner-up Mary Hardin-Baylor (16-6, 9-5), which knocked off Hardin-Simmons, 105-93, Saturday.
Howard Payne witness Sul Ross convert 51 percent (31 of 61) of its field goal attempts, with seven three-pointers and 79 recent (22 of 28) of its free throws.
The Yellow Jackets, meanwhile, sank 41 percent (27 of 65) of their shots, with five treys and 70 percent (14 of 20) of their free throws. HPU was outrebounded 38-36, committed 17 turnovers while collecting 14, and were outscored 46-34 in paints in the paint and 26-16 in points off turnovers.
ASC West Player of the Week Khyce Randall led Howard Payne with 26 points followed by Thomas Bingham with 13, Darren Farmer and Javaris Jones with eight each, Shadd Cole with six, Joshua Taylor with four, and Timothy Aguero, Rickey Guillory, Talen Davis and Cole Bene’ with two points apiece.
The Yellow Jackets will attempt to avenge an 83-73 loss to McMurry (7-14, 5-9) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Abilene, as a victory would move Howard Payne into fifth place.