ABILENE, TEXAS – McMurry University put five players in double-figures Saturday, Feb. 11, in a second clash with crosstown American Southwest Conference rival Hardin-Simmons in three days Saturday, Feb. 11.
Head coach Zach Pickelman's War Hawks had the Maroon, Black, and White crowd inside Kimbrell Arena on its feet throughout the opening half, scoring 14 of the first 20 points and holding a 49-46 halftime edge. However, the same formula that sent McMurry to a loss at HSU's Mabee Complex in the first edition came to the forefront in this match-up. HSU went on a 52-34 second-half roll to knock off their hosts 98-83.
Junior forward/center Elias Garcia (Houston, Texas) and sophomore guard Matt Pena (El Paso, Texas) scored 16 points to guide McMurry. Garcia wound up only two rounds shy of a double-double, and Pena canned four treys to spotlight their afternoons.
McMurry (6-17, 5-11 ASC) also put senior guard Remy Minor (Chicago, Ill.) (12 points), junior guard C.J. LeBlanc (Dallas, Texas), and freshman Elijah Lomas (San Antonio, Texas) (13 points each) in double digits.
The War Hawks return to the court Thursday, Feb. 16, welcoming Mary-Hardin-Baylor to Kimbrell Arena for a 7:30 start.