Abilene, TX— The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor women's basketball team was in striking range in both halves, but late cold spells prevented the Cru from completing a rally in a 65-45 loss to McMurry University Saturday in Abilene. The UMHB women fall to 2-15 overall and 1-12 in American Southwest Conference play with the loss. The War Hawks improve to 11-5 overall and 9-3 in the ASC on the season with the victory.

McMurry scored the game's first five points before the Cru used a 7-0 run to take its only lead of the game at 7-5. The War Hawks responded with an 11-0 run to grab the lead and push it to double figures. McMurry would hold a 32-19 lead at halftime. UMHB closed to within eight points at 40-32 early in the second half, but McMurry exploded for a 20-4 run to take the lead to 60-36 and the Cru never recovered.

Gabby Guzman topped UMHB with 10 points and six rebounds. Brandy Dittert added nine points and five rebounds off the bench and Miranda Shorter also scored nine for the Cru. UMHB shot just 33 percent in the game and turned the ball over 22 times.

M.J. Vickers led the War Hawks with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Keshia Collins chipped in 17 points and Celeste Belizario also reached double figures with 11. McMurry shot 34 percent for the game but out rebounded UMHB 51-35 in the victory.

The Cru will now return home for a pair of ASC West Division games next week. UMHB will host Howard Payne for a 5:30 PM tip-off on Thursday before closing out the week with a 1:00 PM start against Sul Ross State next Saturday.