BELTON, TX – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men's basketball team defeated Howard Payne University 94-59 Saturday afternoon in Belton. The Cru improved to 12-1 overall and 7-1 in the American Southwest Conference while the Yellow Jackets fell to a 3-11 record on the season and 2-7 in league play.
 
Howard Payne started the contest with an early six-point run in the second minute. Hearne answered with a three-pointer in the fourth minute, starting UMHB on a 26-point run and taking the lead 31-9. The Yellow Jackets fought back, holding the Cru to a lead of 22 going into the half.
 
Braedyn Dawes led the Cru in first-half points with 12, including three from behind the arc. Carson Hammond led defensively with three steals and four rebounds.
 
Coming into the second half Hammond hit a quick three for the Cru. The Yellow Jackets continued fighting back, cutting UMHB's lead to 17 with 16 minutes remaining. The contest continued in back-and-forth play until Hearne and Frederick Shields had back-to-back baskets in the tenth minute. The Cru continued on a 17-1 run and held onto their lead, claiming a 94-59 win.
 
UMHB's offense was led by Josiah Johnson with 15 points, while Dawes added 13 and Luke Feely had 12. The Cru totaled 13 made baskets behind the arc with Johnson, Hammond and Dawes all adding three. UMHB totaled 48 rebounds with Feely leading with ten. The Cru created 18 turnovers for the Yellow Jackets, led by Hammond with four steals.
 
UMHB returns to action on Thursday, January 13th against East Texas Baptist University at 7:30 p.m. in Marshall.