GEORGETOWN - With both teams shooting over 50% from the field, the Southwestern University men's basketball team fell short to Mary Hardin-Baylor on Monday evening by the score of 89-77 at the Robertson Center.
The Pirates finished 30 of 59 (51%) from the field including 9 of 25 (36%) from deep while UMHB was 33 of 59 (56%) from the field including 6 of 20 (30%) from behind the arc. The difference came at the free throw line, as the Crusaders got to the line 26 times to Southwestern's 11. UMHB also won the rebounding battle 26-23 as well as the turnover battle, focing 21 to only allowing 15.
It was an even first half for the most part as each team exchanged possessions. Southwestern connected on five 3-pointers and led for most of the first half. UMHB shot 52% while Southwestern shot 50% as each team lit up the scoreboard through the first half.
Southwestern held a 27-26 lead before UMHB went on a 14-6 run to move ahead 40-33 just before the half. However, sophomore Luke Hicks connected on a three with three ticks left to cut the deficit ot 40-36 going into the break.
Sophomore Ryan Wheeler started the second half with a 3-pointer and suddenly it was a one point game. However, a 10-3 run moved the Crusaders back ahead by three at 50-42. The run would turn into a 26-10 spurt as UMHB opened a 66-49 lead midway through the second half, taking full control of the game.
Despite the Pirates shooting 52% in the half, it was too much UMHB as they were a red hot 62% from the field in the second half while getting to the line 21 times, holding off any Southwestern rallies to earn the road win.
Hicks led the offense with 15 points including three 3-pointers while senior Ryan Ogden and sophomore Brandon Alexander each scored 12 points as all three players shot 50% from the field. Wheeler scored 11 points while freshman Trenton Garrett was 4 for 4 from the field with nine points.
Ogden led all rebounders with five while sophomore Jake Holmes pitched in four assists. Garrett had a pair of steals and Ogden and sophomore Mike May each had a block.
Lakendric Hyson had 20 points on 9 of 14 shooting to lead UMHB while Demarius Credd had 17. Justin Gammill finished with a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Southwestern moves to 2-3 overall and will return to action on Saturday as they head to Brownwood for a 4 PM tip-off with Howard Payne.
