ABILENE, Texas – The Southwestern University Pirates men's basketball team lost its first official road game of the season, falling to Hardin-Simmons University 96-71 on Thursday evening.

Hardin-Simmons was scorching hot from deep, hitting 14 3-pointers on a 51.9 percent clip. The long-range marksmanship was better than their overall shooting percentage (49.3), stretching the Pirates' defense beyond its breaking point.

Southwestern University stayed within reach for most of the first half, getting eight points from Luke Hicks on four shots and six points from Joel Martinez off the bench. The duo connected for a Martinez layup at the 3:59 mark to bring the Pirates to within five at 33-28 but the Pirates went 0-6 with a turnover after—connecting on a pair of free throws—to trail 42-30 at the break.

Hardin-Simmons kept the offensive fireworks going in the second half,  hitting eight more 3-pointers and shooting 51.3 percent overall for the half, moving the ball expertly for 13 assists to just four turnovers to finish with 22 assists to 14 turnovers.

Joe Hoeup led HSU with 32 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, blistering the Pirates' defense by shooting 8-for-8 from deep and 11-for-13 overall. Forward Jalen Terry worked the defense inside, posting a 22-point, 12-rebound double-double, and Neal Chambliss had 10 points with four blocks and three steals.

Jake Holmes, Ryan Wheeler, and Hicks each scored 10 points for the Pirates as the only Southwestern University players to finish in double figures. The Pirates shot 36.8 percent from deep but only 43.9 percent overall, committing 16 turnovers to just 11 assists.

With the loss, the Pirates drop to 1-1 on the season as HSU improves to 1-1. Southwestern University will resume action on Saturday, Nov. 17, hosting Howard Payne University at 4:00 p.m.