ABILENE, Texas – The McMurry University men's basketball team (9-2) will look to pick up its fifth-straight victory as the Patriots of Dallas Baptist University (5-8) come to town on Saturday. The War Hawks will look to continue their hot start and defend Kimbrell Arena, where they are currently undefeated on the year (4-0).
 
McMurry is coming off a solid, 69-63, win over Oklahoma Christian on Thursday, in a game that was based on defense. The War Hawks held the Eagles to 38 percent shooting, including 27 percent (6-of-22) in the second half. On the offensive side of the ball, Takoby Jackson led the way for McMurry, notching a game-high 23 points, including 15 in the first half. Antonio Bell added 17 and Kaylim Noel scored 11.
 
With Kenny Williams sidelined with an injury, Jackson has been the player that has stepped up nicely for the War Hawks. He has notched back-to-back 20+ point games for the first time in his career, and has upped his averaged to 11.0 points per game. Bell leads the team in ppg, scoring 12.7 per contest and Alfred Perez is coming into the contest averaging 8.2 points and 6.2 rebounds.
 
Regardless of the game the War Hawks are having on the offensive side of the ball, the key staple for McMurry this season has been defense. McM is holding its opponents to 63.8 points per game, which tops the Heartland Conference. They also rank second in opponents field goal percentage (.399).
 
For McMurry to pick up its fifth consecutive victory, it must contain the DBU offense and the conference's leading scorer, Nick Fox, who is scoring just over 22 points per game. Fox so far on the year is shooting .589 from the field and .444 from three-point range. Fox is joined in double figures by Jonathan Perry and Jordan Kirschke, who both average just over 10 points per game.
 
The Patriots come into the contest as losers of three-straight. DBU recently dropped a 75-68 decision to St. Edward's on Thursday.
 
One of the biggest keys of the contest will be who can control the three-point line better. The Dallas Baptist offense ranks first in the conference in three-point percentage, shooting .397 on the year. As a team, they have made 108 threes through the their first 13 games (an average of 8.3 made per game). However, the War Hawks lead the Heartland Conference in three-point percentage defense, allowing opponents to shoot just under 30% from deep this year.
 
The game between McM and DBU on Saturday will mark the first time in 24 years that the two schools have played each other in men's basketball. The previous contest was during the 1989-90 season, a game in which McMurry came away with the win, 82-76.
 
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