GOODWELL, Okla. – The McMurry University men's basketball team will take to the road for the final time this season as they begin a two-game road trip at Oklahoma Panhandle State University.
 
The War Hawks are coming off a tough, 68-62, defeat at the hands of St. Mary's University. In the contest, Takoby Jackson led the way for McMurry, scoring a team-high 19 points. DJ Stennis was the only other War Hawk in double figures, as he scored 16 on the night.
 
Despite taking an 11-point lead into the half, the War Hawks dropped the six-point contest by being outscored 43-26 in the second half.
 
Oklahoma Panhandle State has dropped its last two contests and 16 of its last 17 overall, including a 92-50 defeat at the hands of Arkansas – Fort Smith in its previous contest.
 
In their last game, the Aggies were led by 10 points each by Christopher Capinia and T.J. Farrell. In that contest, OPSU was held to just 33 percent shooting for the game and were forced into 15 turnovers while having just nine assists.
 
Throughout the year, the War Hawks have been led offensively by Jackson's 14.3 points per game. Antonio Bell is averaging 9.9 points per contest, while Alfred Perez is the third leading scorer on the team, averaging 8.6 per night.
 
In order for McM to come away with the victory on Thursday it must correct the issues it has been having on the road this season. So far, the War Hawks are just 2-7 while being outscored 71.2-65.7 over the nine games. McM is shooting just 43 percent from the field away from Kimbrell Arena and have lost five straight away from Abilene.
 
However, for the War Hawks to come away with the victory on Thursday, it will be the defense that the War Hawks will continue to hang their hats on. With just four games remaining on the schedule, McM still ranks first in the Heartland Conference in opponents' points per game, giving up just 64.0 per contest. They also rank third in opponents' field goal percentage (.407) and fourth in three-point percentage defense (.332).