The Cowboys led by 13 points at 26-13 on a pair of Ryan Ocheskey free throws with 7:09 to go in the first half, but the Lobos stormed back and took a 35-34 halftime lead. In the closing run in the first half the Lobos hit five 3-pointers.
Sul Ross extended its lead to 60-45 with 10:37 to go in the game. Five straight points by Matt Pickelman cut it to 60-50 and another run eventually got the deficit to 64-59 with 4:25 to play.
The Cowboys then became their own worst enemy with seven straight turnovers and only one shot in the last 4:25 of the game.
Pickelman led the Cowboys with 16 points, Matt Brackett had 11 and Tanner Kudrna chipped in with 10 points. Hooper led the Lobos with 23 points and C.J. Acosta had 13 points and 10 rebounds.
HSU is now 13-9 overall and 12-7 in conference play and Sull Ross State improved to 10-11 overall and 10-8 in conference play. HSU hosts conference leader Howard Payne on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the Mabee Complex.