ABILENE, Texas – The NCAA Division II era for McMurry University men's basketball started off with a bang, as the War Hawks defeated the University of the Southwest, 82-57, on Monday evening in Kimbrell Arena.
 
Defense was one of the biggest keys of the game for the War Hawks (1-0), as they held the Mustangs (0-2) to just 7-of-25 shooting (28%) in the first half. McM also forced 17 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes.
 
For the record, the War Hawks first points of the Division II era came on a jumper from Kenny Williams at the 17:52 mark of the first half. Almost two minutes later, Takoby Jackson scored his first bucket of the year, and Williams bookended a 7-0 run, hitting a three-pointer at the 14:52 mark.
 
After the Mustangs cut the lead to one point, 7-6, on a layup by Jonathan Williams, McMurry went on a 24-6 run that spanned nine minutes, to give it the 32-12 lead. A steal and breakaway dunk by Takoby Jackson at the 11:30 mark proved to be the catalyst in the run. The 18-point swing was capped by an alley-oop dunk from Williams on a great pass from Antonio Bell, that rocked Kimbrell Arena, and expanded the lead to 29-12.
 
After USW basket, McMurry outscored the Mustangs 9-5 the rest of the way to end the half with the 42-19 advantage.
 
McMurry collected seven steals in the first half, with Jackson notching four. Williams protected the basket well, sending away three shots in the half. Both Jackson and Williams also scored 10 points each in the frame.
 
In the second half, it was more of the same for the War Hawks. Even though McM allowed 38 points in the period, the lead was never in jeopardy, with the smallest margin coming on a Jonathan Williams tip in that cut the War Hawks' lead to 18.

With 5:10 left in the contest, an offensive rebound and put back by Thomas Brandsma allowed the lead to baloon to 34 points (76-42), the largest margin of the game.
 
In the wire-to-wire victory, balanced production was the name of the game, as seven players totaled at least six points, and seven notched at least four rebounds. Williams finished the contest with 14 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks. Jackson and Alfred Perez notched 12 points apiece while Brandsma and Chris Campbell had eight. Bell chipped in with seven points, and DJ Stennis added six.
 
Hustle plays proved to be a big factor, as McMurry outscored USW in both second-chance (26-19) and fast-break (16-8) points. McM also controlled the glass in the contest, out rebounding the Mustangs, 45-32, over the course of the evening.
 
Not only was this contest the first win for the War Hawks in the NCAA Division II, but it was also the first victory in Division II for head coach Chris Beard, who took over the team after last season.
 
The War Hawks will be back in action on Friday, November 16, when they will compete in the Abilene Christian Classic. The team will play Sul Ross State University on the campus of Abilene Christian with tip-off starting at 6 p.m.