ABILENE, Texas – After gaining a victory in the opening game of a three-game homestand last Thursday, McMurry University women's basketball will be looking to continue in the “W” column when it plays host to UT-Permian Basin on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff at Kimbrell Arena is slated for 2 p.m.

The game – as well as the men's contest following at 4 p.m. – can be heard live in the Abilene area on KZQQ 1560-AM, as well as on all of the stations of the War Hawk Radio Network. Fans worldwide can listen live via the internet by going to: www.hprnetwork.com and following the links to listen live. A live video link is also available by going to: www.mcmurryuniversity.skyboxlive.com and following the link to basketball.

McMurry will face a stiff test in one of the Heartland Conference's hottest teams in the Falcons.  UTPB has won five-consecutive games and is coming off of a 64-47 drubbing of St. Edward's on the road, also on Thursday.

UTPB sports a record of 11-5 overall and sits in second place in the Heartland (one game behind leader St. Mary's). The Falcons shoot an impressive 43.1 percent from the field and out-rebound their opponents by an average of 5.1 boards per game. Permian Basin scores at a clip of 69.6 points per game, while allowing an average of 63.8 p.p.g.

The Falcons potent 1-2 punch of Teisha King and Taniqua Ards have proven to be a handful for opponents in 2012-13. In UTPB's previous 16 games, either King or Ards have led the team in scoring in 15 of those games.

King, who averages 20.8 p.p.g., leads the Heartland in scoring (nearly 5 ½ points per game better than the runner-up). King shoots 48.2 percent from the floor (121-251) and averages 5.4 rebounds per game. She leads her team in assists (3.9 a.p.g.) and steals (2.5 s.p.g.), as well.

Ards contributes 14.7 p.p.g. to the UTPB offense. Ards also shoots well from the field (48.4 %). She averages 5.8 boards per contest.

Briannah Matthews approaches double digit scoring at 9.8 p.p.g., as well as a sturdy 6.3 r.p.g.   She is the Falcons' top shooter, at 63.0 percent from the floor (68-108), while also among the HC leaders in blocks at 1.1 rejections per game.

Jocelyn Cook leads UTPB in rebounding, hauling in 7.4 caroms per contest. She also has amassed a total of 10 blocks on the year.

Dr. Veronica Snow's War Hawks will be trying to string together two-straight wins for just the second time this season on Saturday. A well-rounded, team effort helped McMurry to its demolition of Oklahoma Panhandle State on Thursday.

Versus OPSU, junior Keshia Collins was the only McM player 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.

Collins raised her season average to 13.1 points per game and needs eight more points to reach 900 for her McMurry career. Collins also grabs 6.9 rebounds per game, as well as 3.3 steals per game. She also has 17 blocked shots.

Thomas is at 9.2 p.p.g. in the McM offense. The point guard distributes 2.6 assists per game.

Freshman Claire Bruffey has come off the War Hawks' bench in all 17 games to average 5.8 p.p.g.  Bruffey has a team-leading 17 three-point baskets made.