The Choctaws jumped out to a 12-2 lead with 14:50 to play in the first half and stretched the lead to 26-11 with 7:40 remaining in the half. MC went into the halftime break ahead 41-21 holding HPU to 20 percent shooting in the first half.
In the first two minutes of the second half, Howard Payne started on a 6-0 run to pull within 41-25. HPU came back and a layup by Cliff McGuire with 8:55 to play made the score 54-44 Choctaws. MC extended the lead to 15 with over two minutes to play and went on to win 74-58.
MC junior forward Timothy Broomfield was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player. Jaszmine Eugene and Orlando Lewis each were All-Tournament selections.
The Choctaws were led in scoring by Lewis with 13 points while Ryan Hudson added 11. The Choctaws improved their school record win total to 27-1 on the season and receive the ASC's automatic bid to the NCAA III National Tournament.
Howard Payne was led in scoring by Matt Zinser and Cliff McGuire with 14 points each. Sean Wheeler had a game high 9 rebounds and Kendrick Johnson had 10 points. The Yellow Jackets record goes to 20-7 for the season.
The Choctaws will find out who they play on Monday morning when the NCAA releases the tournament brackets. The NCAA Division III National Tournament begins next weekend.