ABILENE, TEXAS – McMurry University gave American Southwest Conference unbeaten UT-Dallas all they could handle and then some Saturday, Dec. 17.

After the visiting Comets scored 19 of the first 23 points and maintained a double-digit advantage over the first section of the opening half, head coach Zach Pickelman's crew began to chip away. They eventually concluded the frame with a rousing 24-5 roll that gave them a 40-39 halftime lead to the enjoyment of the War Hawk fans in attendance at Kimbrell Arena.

That final first-half stretch set up a battle royale in the second half. Fans were treated to up-and-down the floor action that featured 99 points behind 11 made three-point baskets between the two teams. UT-Dallas managed to keep their hosts at bay behind a robust inside attack where they out-scored the War Hawks 50-24 in the paint. Senior center Will Isaac produced critical baskets down the stretch towards a 21-point, 12-rebound evening.

Even with that performance, McMurry almost turned around the final verdict on its last possession. Junior guard C.J. LeBlanc (Dallas, Texas), looking to add to a 31-point, seven-three-pointer resume, drove the floor and launched a shot from the right side that just went off to the left of the rim as the clock ran out, enabling UT-Dallas to cling to a 90-88 win.

Freshman forward Elijah Lomas (San Antonio, Texas) topped a strong display from the McMurry bench. He posted 17 points, and junior guard Rob Charles (Houston, Texas) checked in with 10. Sophomore guard Matt Pena (El Paso, Texas) closed out the double-digit marks with 14 points.

McMurry (3-8 overall, 3-3 ASC) visits the Pacific Northwest for a pair of non-conference games Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 20 and 21. The War Hawks play George Fox University Tuesday and Pacific College Wednesday. Game times are 9 p.m. Central Standard Time Tuesday and 7 p.m. CST Wednesday.