ABILENE, Texas – The McMurry men's basketball team continued a solid start to its season, as it defeated Sul Ross State University, 75-47, on Friday night as part of the Abilene Christian Classic. The War Hawks improved to 2-0 on the young season.
 
McMurry jumped out of the gate early, opening up a 19-4 run that spanned the first ten minutes of the game. The early run was sparked by eight points from Kenny Williams, and five from Antonio Bell.
 
After Sul Ross registered just their second field goal of the first half at the 9:33 mark, McM went on a 25-12 run the rest of the way to take a 26-point lead into the break, 44-18.
 
Just like in its first game of the year, the War Hawk defense suffocated the Sul Ross offense, holding the Lobos to just seven made field goals and 22 percent shooting from the field (7-31) in the first half. McMurry also forced 10 turnovers the lead to nine points in the frame.
 
“I thought we got off to a much faster start tonight,” said head coach Chris Beard. “There were a lot of positives, especially on the defensive end, that we can take from the first half.”
 
In the second half, the War Hawks once again started out fast. After a layup by Alfred Perez made the score 46-18, a three-point basket and a layup by Williams swelled the McMurry lead to 33 points, which would be the largest lead of the night. The Lobos would not get any closer than 26 points the rest of the way as McM coasted to the 75-47 victory.
 
Williams led all scorers in the contest with 19 points and seven boards. Bell, playing in his first contest at the Moody Coliseum since transferring from Abilene Christian, totaled 13 points, and Chris Campbell had his best day as a War Hawk, adding 15 points off the bench.
 
As a team, McMurry once again shot the ball well as it finished the night at 47% from the field. The War Hawks also made the most of their free-throw chances, converting on 82% (19-of-23) of their trips to the charity stripe.
 
The defense held Sul Ross to 30% shooting from the field, while forcing 29 turnovers on the night. It also held the Lobos to just 1-of-11 from behind the three-point line.
 
McMurry will be back in action on Saturday when it takes on York College (Neb.) in the second day of the Abilene Christian Classic. Tip-off is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start.