KERRVILLE, Texas -- The McMurry men's basketball team beat Schreiner, 97-78, Saturday at the Edington Center to win its seventh American Southwest Conference West Division title and its first since the 2006-07 campaign. 

With the win, McMurry improves to 18-7 overall and 17-4 in conference play as they will continue their season in next week's ASC Men's Basketball Championship Tournament hosted by Texas Dallas in Richardson on Feb. 27-March 1.  The win over Schreiner also gives McMurry its first outright West Division title since the 2001-02 season. 

“This is a tribute to some guys that made tremendous sacrifices and really grew as a team,” McMurry coach Ron Holmes said.  “(McMurry assistant coach) Matt Garnett did a tremendous job coaching these guys.  He was a nurse at times, an academic advisor and also a father figure.  We have accomplished one little goal now, and our next goal is to win three in a row in Dallas next week.”

In the first half, McMurry jumped out to a 13-4 advantage just five minutes into the game.  But Schreiner responded with a run of its own as they tied the game at 17 with 12 minutes remaining.  McMurry countered, though, as they mounted an 8-0 run to take a 25-17 advantage with eight minutes remaining until the break.  From there, the Mountaineers would chip off four points from their deficit as McMurry took a 39-35 lead into halftime. 

McMurry upped the tempo in the second half as they scored a season-high half total of 58 points in the frame while Schreiner managed 43.  For the game, McMurry shot 51 percent from the floor (34 of 67) and they outrebounded Schreiner 36-22. 

Jonathan Walker led all scorers with 29 points (on 10 of 14 shooting from the floor).  Senior Dewayne Hall added 21 points for McMurry, while Brett Johnson and Richard Jones each respectively chipped in 11 points.  Johnson and Jones both also recorded double-doubles as Johnson grabbed 11 rebounds while Jones grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds. 

Schreiner ends its season at 6-19 and 6-15.