The Howard Payne University men’s basketball team fell 102-59 to Sam Houston in exhibition play on Saturday afternoon at Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville, Texas.
Sam Houston Dominates the Glass and First Half
Sam Houston established control early, building a 53-23 halftime lead behind a relentless rebounding advantage. The Bearkats finished the contest with a commanding 66-31 edge on the glass, pulling down 23 offensive rebounds and converting 66 points in the paint while shooting 52.6 percent from the field.
Aidan McDowell led all scorers with 18 points, anchoring a balanced attack that saw five Sam Houston players finish in double figures.
Yellow Jackets Rely on Bench Depth and Defensive Pressure
Braylon McGee paced the Yellow Jackets with 10 points, while contributions came from throughout the lineup as the squad evaluated its depth ahead of the regular season. Jace Reed added eight points, and both Connor Yocom and Demarcus Johnson chipped in six points apiece.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Howard Payne forced 18 turnovers, turning those defensive takeaways into 21 points. The Yellow Jackets recorded 10 steals and relied heavily on their reserves, getting 44 of their 59 total points from the bench.
Stat Line Breakdown
Evan Duncan contributed a well-rounded stat line with four points, four rebounds, three steals, and two blocks, while Carter May led the team on the boards with five rebounds.
Overall, Howard Payne shot 20-for-72 from the floor, hit seven three-pointers, and converted 12 of 18 attempts from the free-throw line as 18 different players saw action.
Looking Ahead to the Regular Season Opener
The Yellow Jackets now turn their attention to the official start of the regular season. Howard Payne will travel to Storm Lake, Iowa, to face No. 5-ranked Gustavus Adolphus on Friday, November 14, with tip-off scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Central Time.
