BIG SPRING, Texas (Interstat) — The Howard (Tex.) Hawks used a dominant second half to defeat the New Mexico Thunderbirds 73-55 in a men’s junior college basketball game Monday night.

Leading 32-27 at halftime, the Hawks outscored the Thunderbirds 41-28 after the break to pull away. The victory improved Howard’s season record to 14-2, while New Mexico fell to 10-2.

The Hawks entered the contest as a significant favorite, with statistical models giving them a 75.2% probability to win. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in New Mexico on Feb. 12.