Hardin-Simmons tops U.T.-Tyler in ASC Tournament

02/29/08

Belton, TX - The Hardin-Simmons University men's basketball team controlled the game early and then held on to defeat U.T.-Tyler 65-55 in an American Southwest Conference Men's Basketball Championship Tournament First Round game Friday in Belton. The Cowboys improve to 15-11 on the season with the win and advance to a 4:00 PM semifinal tomorrow against the winner of the UMHB/ETBU first round game. The loss ends the Patriots season at 14-12.

U.T.-Tyler scored the game's first five points, but Hardin-Simmons answered with an 11-1 run to take an 11-6 lead. The Cowboys would push the lead to as many as eight points in the half and HSU never trailed again. The Cowboys led 28-22 at halftime. HSU would stretch the lead to as many as 12 points in the second half. A late U.T.-Tyler rally cut it to five points at 60-55 with 1:51 remaining, but the Cowboys held the Patriots scoreless the rest of the way and iced the game from the free-throw line.

Dan Jean came off the bench to lead the Cowboys with 13 points. Charlie Pannell added 11 points for HSU and Mardochee Jean had 10 points, seven rebounds and three blocks before fouling out. Patrick Branche was the only player in double figures for U.T.-Tyler with 14 points and he also grabbed a team-best nine rebounds. The Patriots shot just 32 per cent from the field and 28 per cent from three-point range in the game. The Cowboys hit 44 per cent from the field and 33 per cent from beyond the arc.