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Contributed by Chad Grubbs, HSU Director of Athletic Communications
ALPINE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team moved to the American Southwest Conference Tournament semifinals with an 82-68 win over Texas Dallas on Thursday evening in Alpine.
The Cowboys jumped out to a good start and led 20-12 at the 14:07 mark of the first half. HSU held the lead until a Dapo Ogunfeitmi free throw gave the Comets their first lead of the game with 3:21 to play in the first half.
The Cowboys responded with nine straight points including five straight by freshman Joe Hoeup to push the lead to 40-31. After a pair of free throws for UTD Hoeup had a steal and another layup for a 42-33 HSU halftime lead.
HSU scored the first five points of the second half and pushed the lead to 46-33. UTD cut it to 57-53 with 8:57 but the Cowboys had the answer again with an 8-0 run on a 3-pointer by Duane Hopper and a layup and another 3-point play by Nathaniel Jack.
It was the knockout run as the Comets were never closer than eight the rest of the game.
Jack led the Cowboys with 17 points and nine rebounds. Justin Jones added 16 points and eight rebounds. Christian O'Neal had 13 points, including 11 down the stretch in the second half. Hopper added 11
points.
Kyle Coulter led UTD with 20 points. Ben Smith added 13 and Caleb Banks had 11.
HSU outshot the Comets 48.3 percent to 40.7 percent and outrebounded them 38-30.
HSU is 16-10 on the year and will play Sul Ross State in the semifinals on Friday at 7:30 p.m. UTD fell to 17-9 on the year.
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