Box Score
BELTON, Texas – McMurry University will get the opportunity to defend its American Southwest Conference men's basketball championship, thanks to its 77-69 win over the nation's No. 5-ranked team, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, in the semi-finals of the ASC tournament.

The win propelled the War Hawks (19-8) into the tourney finals versus cross-town rival Hardin-Simmons University, setting up the All-Abilene final with the winner earning the ASC's automatic berth in next week's NCAA Division III championship tournament.

McMurry rode the efforts of senior points guard Jaden Isler in handing UMHB only its second loss of the season…and both coming at the hands of the War Hawks. McM also topped the Crusaders (25-2 in Abilene, 75-71, on Jan. 21.

Isler scored 22 of his game-leading – and season-high - 26 points in the second half. Isler had a magnificent shooting night in virtually every way by hitting 7-of-10 from the field overall, 4-of-5 from beyond the arc and 8-of-9 from the free throw stripe.

While Isler took over matters in the second stanza, it was senior forward Steven Jones setting the tone at the outset. Jones scored all 10 of his points in the opening period and finished the game with a total of 12 rebounds to register his 10th double-double of the season.

McMurry jumped out to an 11-3 lead to open the game after a pair of free throws by Jones. But UMHB showed why it is one of the nation's top teams, overtaking McMurry and building an 11-point halftime advantage, 40-29.

“Our guys never gave up,” J.D. Isler said. “They never quit believing that they would win the game.”

That became evident in the second half as the War Hawks mounted their assault behind Jaden Isler's deft shooting and some stingy defense lead by senior Anthony Johnson. The tandem helped the team slowly chip away at the Crusaders.

“Jaden hit some big shots to keep us within striking distance,” J.D. Islet said of his son's performance. “Our defense was a team effort, but Anthony (Johnson) has been the unsung hero for us…especially over the past three games. He did a great job on (UMHB's) Marlon Miller.”

Johnson also chipped in on the offensive end with 10 points as the third McM player in double digit scoring.

The War Hawks will have their hands full in Sunday's finale versus Hardin-Simmons, which defeated McMurry twice during the regular season. The meeting would almost certainly be the last between the schools in the foreseeable future, with McMurry's move to NCAA Division II next season.

“We're playing good basketball right now,” J.D. Isler said of his team's chances on Sunday. “We're playing with lots of confidence.”