ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University women's basketball used a strong defensive effort – combined with a second-half blitz – to soundly defeat Oklahoma Panhandle State, 68-41, at Kimbrell Arena.  The win improved the War Hawks to 7-10 overall, while the Aggies fell to 4-13.

The contest was also just the third home game for the War Hawks in 17 outings, thus far, in 2012-13.

McM out-rebounded OPSU by a 49-40 margin, while also making 12 steals and forcing a total of 22 turnovers by the visitors. McMurry also blocked a total of five shots.

OPSU hung close through the first 14 minutes of the game, actually enjoying an early four point lead (12-8). However, with 5:47 left to go in the first half, a jumper by McM's Keshia Collins put her team up 20-18 and the War Hawks would never trail again the rest of the night.

McM built up an eight point cushion – 27-19 – by the intermission.

Dr. Veronica Snow's team kept up the intensity to open the second stanza, as well. McMurry out-scored the Aggies to open the final 20 minutes with a 15-0 run that upped its lead to 23 points, 42-19.

OPSU didn't score its first point of the second half until the 13:53 mark when Kayleee Marion canned a pair of free throws.

The War Hawks held a 20-point advantage for nearly the entire final 10 minutes of action. With 5:47 left in the game, McMurry amassed its largest lead, 28 points, on Jaryn Koening's (7 points) free throw that made it 59-31.

11 of the teams 12 players on the roster scored. 10 players had double-digit totals in minutes played and no player was on the court more than 27 minutes in the game for McM.

Collins was the only War Hawk to score in double figures, booking 16 points, bolstered by an 8-of-8 night from the free throw line. Collins had a game-high eight rebounds and five steals, as well.

The balanced McMurry offensive contributions were aided by nine points each from senior Rikeita Thomas and freshman Taylor Russell, who came off the McM bench.  Russell also pulled down six rebounds.

Tory Salazar had eight points and three assists. Jamie Wilson's four assists led either team.

The McMurry team hit 26 of 36 free throw attempts and shot 34 percent (21-61) from the field. Conversely, McM limited the Aggies to less than 28 percent (14-51) from the floor and 17 percent (2-12) from beyond the arc.

McMurry will next be in action at home on Saturday (2 p.m.), hosting UT-Permian Basin.