By Ashlyn Belote

Staff Writer

On Feb. 10, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor’s men’s basketball team, led by coach Sam Patterson, won in overtime against Hardin-Simmons University (HSU) at Mayborn Campus Center in Belton. 

The game was close with a final score of 93-91. This win improved their record to 17-6 and 4-0 in the American Southwest Conference (ASC), pushing them to first place in the ASC with three conference games left. 

UMHB fell behind early to the Cowboys losing by 15 points with five minutes remaining. However, the Cru showed signs of a comeback, reducing the lead to eight with the score being 32-40 at half.  UMHB continued their comeback during the second half, pulling it within three to make it 75-78 with little time remaining.  

With the ball and around 15 seconds left, UMHB attempted to tie the game when Senior guard Hudson Johnson turned the ball over, forcing the Cru to foul with 10 seconds left. HSU missed their free throw allowing Johnson to hit a last second shot from way beyond the three-point line to tie the game at 78. Overtime was tight with both teams scoring when Connor Zamaria scored the put away layup, sending the Cowboys home via score 93-90. 

Although Johnson was quite from the three-point line for most of the game, ending with 17 points, including two important threes, one of which being game tying three at the end of regulation. Seniors Elijah Lawrence and Donta Coady led the team in scoring, both ending the game with 19 points. Cody also led the team with 12 rebounds which is a season high for him 

“One of the greatest attributes of this team is the fact that they are each individually wired to want to win in everything they do. They are extremely competitive,” said Men’s Basketball Head Coach Sam Patterson.