BROWNWOOD, Texas -- Road conference games are never easy.
The LeTourneau men's basketball team saw an eight-point lead evaporate in the final 90 seconds of regulation, but responded well in overtime as the YellowJackets downed Howard Payne, 99-90, in ASC action on Saturday in Brownwood.
Deonte Jackson scored 24 points and became the newest member of LeTourneau's 1,000-Career Point Club in the process. Jackson, a junior from Nacogdoches, reached the mark in only 51 career games with a 19.9 points per game average. Jackson eclipsed the milestone with his layup in the final seconds of the first half that gave LeTourneau a 37-31 lead.
He also added six assists, four rebounds, and two steals. LeTourneau had 19 assists in the win.
Jackson Mayes poured in a career-high 31 points, his second straight career-high effort, on 13-of-19 shooting with seven rebounds. Eight of his points came in the overtime session as the YellowJackets held off Howard Payne.
LeTourneau (6-8, 3-4 ASC) has won three of its last four overall and three straight in league play. However, the YellowJackets needed to survive a hard-charging Howard Payne squad. LeTourneau led 77-66 with 2:22 left in the second half after a bucket from Mayes.
Howard Payne responded with a 15-4 scoring run over the final two minutes, including eight consecutive points in the last 90 seconds to send the game into overtime. Miles Koehler's layup with 12 seconds left tied the game at 81-81 and Jackson missed a jumper on LeTourneau's final possession.
Mayes and the visiting YellowJackets dominated the extra session. LeTourneau made 4-of-7 from the field and 10-of-10 from the foul line to outscore Howard Payne, 18-9, in overtime. A
Warren Richardson bucket on LeTourneau's opening possession of overtime gave the guests the lead for good.
Richardson notched a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while
John Argue added 16 points and five rebounds. LeTourneau shot 53.4 percent (39-of-73) from the field, the fourth straight game the YellowJackets have made at least 50 percent from the floor. LeTourneau also made 14-of-17 at the line and held a 50-38 rebounding advantage.
Walker Blaine chipped in eight points with two 3-pointers.
Howard Payne (2-14, 0-8 ASC) was led by Jarod Johnson's 20 points. The host Yellow Jackets made only 39.2 percent (31-of-79) from the field.
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LeTourneau returns home on Thursday to face Ozarks (7:30 p.m.).
