Thursday night in TLU’s Memorial Gymnasium, TLU’s Will Hudson forced overtime with a three-pointer with 27 seconds to play in the second half.
The Bulldogs trailed by eight with 1:53 to play before Hudson, the Bulldogs’ senior wing, caught fire. Hudson scored seven of the Bulldogs’ eight points in the final 99 seconds of regulation. He hit two three-pointers and made a free throw.
The final three-pointer came after Hudson rebounded his own missed free throw.
Howard Payne was unable to get a shot on its final possession in regulation, and the teams went to the extra session tied at 55.
In the overtime, the Yellow Jackets pounded the offensive glass and connected on lay-ups. Matt Zinser and Cliff McGuire each scored on put-backs to put Howard Payne up six early in the overtime.
TLU fought back with another three from Hudson and free throws from Matt Nelson and Hunter Holsonback. TLU trailed by one with 13 seconds in overtime, but the lead hit three after HPU’s Tom Hermann made both of his free throws.
Down by three with 13 seconds to play, the Bulldogs looked for the tying three-pointer. But Jason Morales’ pass, intended for Hudson, was picked off by Zinser. The Yellow Jacket guard sank two free throws with three seconds to play to seal the victory.
Howard Payne improved to 11-3 overall and to 10-2 in the American Southwest Conference West Division.
TLU, a loser in five of its last six games, fell to 5-9 overall and to 4-8 in the ASC.
Hudson led TLU with 22 points. He scored 20 of his points in the second half and overtime. Hudson also grabbed seven rebounds.
Matt Nelson was the only other Bulldog in double figures. He had 18.
TLU point guard Jason Morales tallied eight rebounds, seven assists and six steals.
Howard Payne received 19 points and 14 rebounds from McGuire. Zinser added 13 points, 15 rebounds and four steals. Victor Hayes dished out five assists to go with his 16 points.
Howard Payne out-rebounded TLU 46-39 and had an 18-8 edge in second-chance points.
TLU hurt itself at the free throw line. The Bulldogs made just 12 of 22 shots from the charity stripe.
The Bulldogs continue play in the ASC West with a 3 p.m. Saturday home game against Sul Ross State.