Evers, a freshman center, scored a career high 34 points and pulled down a team-best nine rebounds for the YellowJackets (3-3, 2-3). Evers made every shot in the book as her hit a three-pointer, dunked a missed shot and buried an array of spinning lay-ups and turn-around jumpers.
LeTourneau fell behind early to the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets (4-4, 3-2), who took a 43-37 half time lead. HPU dominated the glass in the first half, grabbing 11 offensive rebounds. In the second half, LeTourneau managed to cut down on Howard Payne’s offensive rebounds, but HPU clung to a small lead for much of the half. LETU tied the score three different times, but trailed by three points after Tom Hermann made two free throws for HPU with 1:10 left in regulation.
The Jackets worked the ball around on offense, but could not find a good shot. Once again Evers bailed LeTourneau out as he hit a turn-around 18-footer at the top of the key as the shot clock expired to cut the lead to one point. The Jackets were forced to foul on the ensuing possession and Howard Payne missed both free throws. LETU senior Reese Lantrip grabbed the rebound and passed to freshman Dewones Smith who fired down court to sophomore Jay Burnett. Burnett made a brilliant play on the ball, landed on two feet, took one dribble and scored on the lay-up while getting fouled. Burnett made the free throw to give the team a two point lead with 17 seconds left.
Howard Payne came down and worked a nice high-low play from center Cliff McGuire to Sean Wheeler, who tied the game at 81 with eight seconds left. LeTourneau’s last chance came on a Burnett three-point attempt in the left corner that would have won the game if it had gone in, but came up short.
In overtime, it was all Howard Payne as McGuire scored nine of his 17 points in the final stanza.
In addition to Evers, junior Travis Bankett and Burnett each added 12 points for the Jackets. Smith and Bankett each had five assists while sophomore Casey Sitton came off the bench to score five points and dish out four assists in 15 minutes of action. LETU shot 35-of-68 from the floor, but were just 13-of-25 from the foul line.
Howard Payne had similar struggles at the free throw line making just 22-of-37 for the game. Six different players scored in double figures for HPU with Jamarcus Johnson leading the team with 21 points and seven assists. McGuire posted a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds. HPU made 36-of-68 shots and won the battle of the boards, 46-32.
LeTourneau is back in action on Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock against ASC-West opponent Sul Ross State University in the Solheim Arena. The game can be heard online at www.tsrnsports.com.
Howard Payne University vs LeTourneau University 12/08/05 7:30 at Longview, TX - Solheim Arena At Longview, TX - Solheim Arena HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY 99, LETOURNEAU UNIVERSITY 88 HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY (4-4, 3-2) Jamarcus Johnson 8-13 4-12 21; Cliff McGuire 7-8 3-6 17; Sean Wheeler 8-16 1-2 17; Matt Zinser 5-13 7-10 17; Josh Weatherred 3-3 4-4 13; Kendrick Johnson 5-13 1-1 12; Tom Hermann 0-1 2-2 2; Andrew Baker 0-0 0-0 0; Lee Scott 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 36-68 22-37 99. LETOURNEAU UNIVERSITY (3-3, 2-3) Dusty Evers 16-24 1-2 34; Travis Bankett 5-7 1-2 12; Jay Burnett 5-10 2-5 12; Joe Packard 2-4 3-6 7; Marcus Coleman 1-6 3-3 5; Casey Sitton 1-2 3-4 5; Dewones Smith 2-6 0-3 5; Barry Thomas 1-1 0-0 3; Reese Lantrip 1-6 0-0 3; Jacob Butler 1-1 0-0 2; James Williams 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 35-68 13-25 88. Howard Payne University....... 43 38 18 - 99 LeTourneau University......... 37 44 7 - 88 3-point goals-Howard Payne University 5-14 (Josh Weatherred 3-3; Kendrick Johnson 1-4; Jamarcus Johnson 1-2; Matt Zinser 0-4; Lee Scott 0-1), LeTourneau University 5-16 (Dewones Smith 1-2; Travis Bankett 1-2; Reese Lantrip 1-3; Barry Thomas 1-1; Dusty Evers 1-2; Casey Sitton 0-1; Marcus Coleman 0-2; Jay Burnett 0-3). Fouled out--Howard Payne University-Matt Zinser, LeTourneau University-None. Rebounds-Howard Payne University 46 (Cliff McGuire 13), LeTourneau University 32 (Dusty Evers 9). Assists-Howard Payne University 22 (Jamarcus Johnson 7), LeTourneau University 20 (Dewones Smith 5; Travis Bankett 5). Total fouls-Howard Payne University 22, LeTourneau University 25. A-250 LeTourneau's first overtime game of the season Technical fouls on LETU #32 Travis Bankett and HPU #52 Sean Wheeler