ABILENE, Texas — Senior Matt Addison scored 32 points to pace Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team to an 82-70 win on senior day at the Mabee Complex in American Southwest action Saturday afternoon.
HSU jumped to an early 8-2 lead on a pair of Addison layups and George Nelson emphatic dunks and the Cowboys never trailed. HSU pushed the lead to as many as 13 on five different occasions in the first half, the last at 31-18 with 6:29 to play.
However, HPU chipped away as the Cowboys went cold in the later part of the first half and the Yellow Jackets cut it to 33-29. HSU led 35-29 at halftime.
The Cowboys started the second half on a 7-0 run and led 42-31 with 17:04 to play. HSU led by as many as 19 with 8:50 to play. HPU cut it to nine on three occasions but never any closer as the Cowboys cruised to the win.
Derrick Jefferson had 10 points for the Cowboys and six players scored seven or more points for HSU.
Brandon Irwin ended his stellar HPU career with 16 points. Joshua Dada and Brandon Gould each added 15 points and JaKalan Gayden had 11 points and 12 rebounds.
The Cowboys are now 19-6 on the year and 16-5 in ASC West play. HSU is the No. 2 seed out of the ASC West and will play an opponent to be determined by play on Monday evening in the first round of the ASC Tournament next Friday at Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton. Howard Payne concludes its season at 9-16 overall and 7-14 in league play.
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