MARSHALL, Texas – The Hardin-Simmons University men’s basketball team won the 2025 American Southwest Conference Men’s Basketball Championship with a 73-62 win over Mary Hardin-Baylor Saturday afternoon in Marshall.

Hardin-Simmons pulled ahead 8-4 to start the championship contest. Mary Hardin-Baylor took their first lead 10-8 at the 15:09 mark after scoring six unanswered. The Cowboys reclaimed the high ground as they went on an 11-2 run with less than ten minutes remaining. UMHB tied it back 23-23 at the 4:48 mark after an 11-4 run sparked by a Maurice Pinnock layup. The final minutes played even, closing the half with Hardin-Simmons ahead 34-31.

UMHB’s Maurice Pinnock recorded eight points in the first three minutes to put the Cru ahead 39-38. The Cowboys quickly responded with a 13-2 run to reclaim a 51-41 lead with 14:24 on the clock. Hardin-Simmons added another 10 unanswered points, led by DJ Jones with eight, to push their lead to 17. UMHB fought back in the last seven minutes, outscoring the Cowboys 12-2 to cut the gap to 69-62. Hardin-Simmons sealed the win in the final two minutes with a pair of free throws and a dunk from Chris Bryant for the 73-62 win.

UMHB’s Maurice Pinnock led with 23 points while HSU’s Chris Bryant totaled 20 points with four blocks and three steals. Asher Fleming recorded a double-double for the Cowboys with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Hardin-Simmons earned the ASC Automatic Qualifier to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. The selection show will take place on Monday, March 3^rd at noon on NCAA.com.

2025 ASC Men’s Basketball All-Tournament Team
Chris Bryant, HSU - MVP
Will Bartoszek, HSU
Asher Fleming, HSU
Eli Beard, UMHB
Maurice Pinnock, UMHB
Riley Fornerette, HPU
Deonte Jackson, LETU