ABILENE, Texas -- Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team is in first place in the American Southwest Conference West Division after posting an 88-62 win over Howard Payne on Saturday afternoon at the Mabee Complex in Abilene.

The Cowboys had no trouble with Howard Payne as HSU forced 25 turnovers and held the Yellowjackets to 33 percent shooting. The Cowboys shot just 37.7 percent but had 22 offensive rebounds and outscored HPU 31-6 off of turnovers.

HSU took an early 9-2 lead and never trailed in the game. HPU cut it to 13-9 but HSU used a 16-4 run over a 4:12 span to take a commanding 16-point lead. In that run, six different Cowboys scored. Casey Riddle's tip-in at the buzzer gave HSU a 48-27 lead at halftime.

Freshman Derrick Jefferson had a dominating performance with 18 points and 18 rebounds. He also added five assists, four steals and two blocks. Matt Addison had a career-best 30 points for the Cowboys and Riddle had 17 points.

HSU was never in danger in the second half but a 23-4 run midway through pushed the lead out to 73-45 with 10:00 to play. HSU's biggest lead of 32 came with 5:23 to play.

The Cowboys – mainly Riddle and Jefferson – held ASC leading scorer Brandon Irwin to five points on 1-of-9 shooting. Donovan Gardner had 15 points for Howard Payne.

HSU is 9-5 on the year and 8-2 in ASC West play. HPU fell to 4-11 overall and to 3-8 in league play. HSU will play at Mary Hardin-Baylor on Thursday. The Cru lost today to Texas Lutheran, putting the Cowboys in first-place by one-half game over the Cru and by one full game over McMurry.