ABILENE, Texas — It was a hard-fought game.
The Lobo men's basketball team put up a valiant effort, but they fell short to the Hardin-Simmons University Cowboys, 70-64, on Saturday evening at the Mabee Complex.
>> HOW IT HAPPENED:
The score was tied eight times as there were eight different lead changes.
Hardin-Simmons began the game on an 8-0 run before the Lobos rallied back to tie the game at 10-all.
Cailean Ables hit a clutch three to get the Lobos to within two and then
Tyler Jackson made two free throws to tie the game.
Ables later gave Sul Ross State a two-point lead by making two free throws.
Myles Amason extended the lead to four with two more free throws.
The score was tied six more times.
Using an 8-0 run, the Lobos led by nine with 47 seconds to go in the second half. Amason highlighted the rally by getting a three-point play after being fouled on a made layup.
The Cowboys made two free throws just before the conclusion of the half to trail by seven.
Starting the second half with an 8-0 run, the Cowboys cut the deficit to one point with 18:14 on the clock.
The score was tied once during the second half at 40-all before the Cowboys went on an 11-0 run to take a 10-point lead.
Hardin-Simmons led by as much as 12 with 5:28 to go.
Sul Ross State used a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to six. The Lobos got to within four after a dunk by Amason with 1:49 on the clock.
>> RECORDS: Sul Ross State (6-4); Hardin-Simmons (7-2)
>> GAME NOTES:
- Amason had a breakout game scoring a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds along with four blocks.
- Ables also had 18 points along with four rebounds and two assists.
- Gabe Sanchez and Bryce Harris each had six points.
- Larry Morrison and Jackson each grabbed six rebounds while scoring five points.
- The Lobos narrowly out-rebounded the Cowboys, 39-38.
- Sul Ross State shot 21 for 31 from the charity stripe. Amason went 6 for 6 from the line.
- The Lobos got 48 points from the bench and 36 points in the paint.
>> UP NEXT: Sul Ross State takes on Mary Hardin-Baylor at home at 3 p.m. CST on Saturday, Dec. 16.