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ABILENE, Texas – In one of the more rough and sloppy games of the season, McMurry was still able to come out on top with a home win Thursday night at Kimbrell Arena as McMurry overcame a sluggish first half to defeat Sul Ross State 75-70. Jamal Anene scored 20 points and Jeremie Hart added 15 while each player grabbed nine boards to help lead McMurry.

In the first half, just a combined 10 fouls were called between the two teams allowing a multitude of contact on both sides. As a result shooting efforts suffered with McMurry shooting just 31 percent and the Lobos managing 38 percent. Sul Ross took a 28-26 lead into halftime despite trailing 8-0 to start the game.

However, in the second half, the referees' whistle' tightened, at least on McMurry's side and the home team took advantage nailing 12 of 16 free-throw attempts in the second period to help ice the Lobos who stayed close for much of the second half.

The game began to get a little out of hand for Sul Ross State when McMurry went on a 15-6 run capped by Hart's layup with 3:08 to go. That bucket made the score 69-58 in favor of McMurry. However, the Lobos stormed back with a 12-3 run to cut the lead to two points with 1:20 remaining after Jimmy Martinez's successful 3-pointer.

Then, McMurry's Jerome Leach hit two free throws with 47 seconds left to extend the lead to four, and Sul Ross got two looks at 3-point shots to cut the lead to one, but neither fell. Hart then hit one of two free throws with 18 seconds left and the Lobos missed each of their last 3-point attempts on the final possession of the game.

McMurry finished the game at 28 of 76 from the floor for a 37-percent shooting effort while Sul Ross was better at 42 percent on 27 of 65 shooting. Both teams struggled from long range. McMurry hit just 4 of 19 attempts from 3-point land while the Lobos connected on 8 of 20 attempts.

McMurry turned the ball over 12 times and forced the Lobos into 18. Sul Ross' Martinez led the way in the losing effort with 17 points, Andy Husley scored 14 and Steven Johunkin came off the bench with 13 points and six rebounds.

Steven Luckey had 10 points for McMurry but shot just 4 of 18 from the field. Hart was 7 of 19 and Anene was 8 of 16. Robert Moreno had all eight points and five assists in the second half after limited playing time in the first half after being shaken up drawing a charge in the opening minutes of the game.

McMurry improved to 15-7 overall and 13-5 in American Southwest Conference play. Sul Ross State fell to 8-14 overall and 7-11 in league play.

McMurry will play host to Howard Payne Saturday at 3 p.m. and remains in second place in the ASC West Division with three games to spare.