Last-second shot beats Greyhounds

SAN ANGELO, Texas — Freshman guard Isiah Herrera hit a deep 2-pointer with under a second remaining in regulation and Howard Payne opened its men’s basketball season on Saturday with a 66-65 victory over Eastern New Mexico University in a four-team classic hosted by Angelo State.

ENMU (1-3) used a 19-3 run to open the second half and build a 17-point lead, but the Yellow Jackets rallied back with a 30-11 surge to go up by two with 1:30 remaining.

The Hounds got a free throw from Shawn Shelton to close to 64-63. After a shot clock violation by Howard Payne with 45 seconds left, ENMU took the lead on a baseline drive by Marquis Harris in the final seconds.

After a timeout by Howard Payne, Herrera inbounded the ball and got a return pass. He sidestepped an ENNU defender and launched the game-winner as time was about to run out.

ENMU shot 38 percent from the floor for the game, hitting just 3-of-18 from 3-point range and missing 13 of 25 free throws. The Yellow Jackets went 8-of-19 from distance and converted 22-of-29 free throws.

The Hounds return to action at noon (MST) today to complete the event, facing Huston-Tillotson.