By Chris Parry
Brownwood Bulletin
His first free throw hit nothing but net and his second free throw glanced off the rim a little, but still went through.
Neither the rim nor Concordia could stop Howard Payne guard Benny West Saturday afternoon as the senior set the single-game scoring record, finishing with 52 points to lead the Jackets to a 123-91 win.
Howard Payne led Concordia 112-83 with 1:43 left to play when West stepped to the free-throw line with a chance to make history. West was sitting at 50 points, and HPU head coach Charles Pattillo already had a teammate who was ready to go in and replace West after his free throws.
"Coach Pattillo told me I had to make them because he was going to sub for me afterward," West said. "My heart was beating so fast. Those were the most pressure-filled free throws I have had in my entire basketball career."
West's first free-throw tied the Howard Payne scoring record of 51 points set by Fred Davis in 1969. The second free throw set a new record of 52 points.
"As [my second free throw] was bouncing around, I was saying come on ball, go in, please," West said.
Those final two points capped an unbelievable effort by West. The senior made 20 of 27 shots, including 4 of 6 from beyond the arc. West also had nine rebounds, five steals and three blocks.