ABILENE, Texas -- Held to its lowest point total of the season, the LeTourneau men's basketball team could not overcome Hardin-Simmons in a 77-65 loss on Thursday night inside the Mabee Complex in Abilene.

LeTourneau (15-6, 2-3 ASC) was limited to 41.8 percent shooting from the field and a season-low 65 points. Hardin-Simmons (12-9, 5-0 ASC) led for the entire game and maintains its stronghold on the top of the ASC.

Jackson Mayes was a bright spot for the YellowJackets as he poured a game-high 20 points coming off the bench. Mayes went 9-of-16 from the field, including a pair of 3-pointers. Deonte Jackson battled foul trouble, but still put in 13 points with two assists and two rebounds.

The game was close throughout the first half. Austin Brewer's 3-pointer on Hardin-Simmons' first possession gave the Cowboys a lead they would not relinquish, but LeTourneau kept it within striking distance. A Connor Miller triple got LeTourneau within three (36-33) with under a minute left in the half before Hardin-Simmons took a 39-33 lead at the break.

An 11-3 run to open the second half for Hardin-Simmons extended the hosts' margin to 14 (50-36) early in the half. LeTourneau briefly got the deficit under 10 twice, but a scoring drought of over five-and-a-half minutes deterred any comeback attempt for the YellowJackets.

Walker Blaine added nine points and Miller eight points for LeTourneau. Caedmon Liebengood grabbed six rebounds.

Brewer led Hardin-Simmons with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Chris Bryant had nine points and 10 rebounds. The Cowboys made 46.7 percent (28-of-60) from the field and made 14-of-16 at the line.

UP NEXT

LeTourneau returns to action on Saturday at Howard Payne (3 p.m.).

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