The Crusaders shot 63 per cent from the field in the first half and built a 36-29 lead at the break. UMHB led by as many as 11 points before a late HPU run cut it to seven. Justin Hejl scored 16 points in the first half and hit his first eight shots from the field. The Crusaders then shot 56 per cent from the field in the second half and held off a late HPU rally to get the victory. UMHB pushed the lead to as many as 16 points before Howard Payne closed to within six points at 75-69 with 41 seconds remaining and at 78-72 with 14 seconds left, but the Crusaders were able to ice the game from the free-throw line.
Hejl finished with 29 points on 14-19 shooting and he also grabbed six rebounds. Brandon Gatlin added 20 points on 7-10 shooting and he dished off seven assists. Michael Blaylock hit 5-7 from the field for UMHB and finished with 13 points. Johnathen Maxwell led Howard Payne with 17 points and Benny West added 16 points, seven rebounds and four steals. West scored nine of his points in the final seven minutes of the game. Michael Knight also added 12 points for the Yellow Jackets. HPU out rebounded UMHB 40-32, but the Crusaders shot 59 per cent from the field in the game and held the Yellow Jackets to 43 per cent shooting.
UMHB will host ASC West leader Sul Ross State in a 3:00 PM tip-off on Saturday. The Crusaders beat the Lobos 82-75 in Alpine last Saturday.