SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College struggled to get going offensively, hitting just 32.9% from the field compared to 51.6% for visiting Howard Payne, and the Jackets outscored the 'Roos 51-36 after halftime to hand Austin College an 82-65 defeat on Friday night in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 1-1 on the year.

Jackson Rennie was the lone 'Roo to reach double figures in the scoring column, finishing with 17 points on 7-of-21 shooting, including 3-of-12 from beyond the arc. Tristan Dick chipped in nine points while Joshua Joe and Nate Williams each had eight in the loss. Austin College led 10-4 early on, but HPU used a 14-4 run to surge ahead 18-14 with 9:26 left in the opening half. Jarod Johnson's basket made it 26-18 with 3:40 left, but Austin College battled back with Joe's three pointer cutting it to 28-27 with a minute and a half on the clock, and Kidus Getenet put the 'Roos ahead 29-28 with 50 seconds left. However, the Jackets got a triple from Jerren Godfrey to make it 31-29 heading into halftime.

Rennie knocked down a pair of threes early in the second half to help the 'Roos get back on top 37-35, and the lead would grow to 43-36 on a bucket by Rennie with 15:43 to play. Another three from Rennie kept Austin College on top 46-41 with 13:36 to play, but a 19-7 run over the next eight minutes put the Jackets on top 65-53, and the 'Roos were unable to cut back into the lead down the stretch.

Dick added four assists and four steals and Joe grabbed four rebounds and handed out three assists in the loss, while Rennie added five boards to his team-best 17 points. Jason Jones scored nine points and pulled down six rebounds for Austin College. Godfrey led all scorers with 18 points and added five assists and five rebounds, and Johnson chipped in 16 for the Jackets.