ABILENE, TEXAS – Sophomore guard Emily Holland (Mansfield, Texas) and senior forward/center Destiny Mathews (Palestine, Texas) each compiled double-doubles Thursday, Dec. 15, to guide McMurry University.
Unfortunately, those impressive stat sheet numbers didn't translate to a ninth overall, and third American Southwest Conference win. University of the Ozarks shut down the Maroon, Black, and White's usually high-powered offense in the second half, limiting them to less than 30 percent shooting in the third period and under 25 percent in the final frame as part of a 44-28 run that overturned a 14-point home team lead (42-28) at halftime.
The 72-70 defeat almost had a Harry Houdini escape as the final curtain for the home team. Down three in the closing seconds, misses on the back end of two-shot free throw attempts were nearly rebounded back in for an and-one opportunity. UOO's fans managed a sigh of relief as the clock finally hit quadruple digits with their Eagles in front.
Holland's second double-double of the season (20 points and 11 boards), part of an 11th successive double-figure scoring total, guided head coach Drew Long's side. Matthews was next in line (13 points and ten rebounds) with her first double-double of the year. Senior guard Taya Bridges (Mesquite, Texas) rounded out the double-digit performance with 10 points and added two blocked shots and five rebounds.
The War Hawks (8-3 overall, 2-3 ASC) look to rebound against UT-Dallas Saturday, Dec. 17. Tip-off time in their final pre-Christmas break home game is 1 p.m. at Kimbrell Arena.