LAREDO, Texas – After seven-consecutive home games dating back to November 21, the McMurry University women's basketball squad will take to the road for what is arguably its toughest Heartland Conference trip this season.  The War Hawks (2-9, 2-3 HC) will take on the two teams tied for third place in the Heartland standings – Texas A&M-International University (10-3, 6-1 HC) and St. Mary's University (11-2, 6-1 HC) – on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.

It will also test the McM mettle in that it's the team's third-straight game versus one of the HC's leaders. The War Hawks are coming off of a tough 55-51 loss at the hands of St. Edward's, which is unbeaten in league play and just percentage points out of first place in the current standings, last Saturday.

Over the course of the weekend, McMurry will also be seeing three of the Heartland's top -10 scorers.

In Thursday evening's (5:30 p.m.) bout in Laredo, the War Hawks will have the task of containing Samantha Chacon (16.2 p.p.g.) and Malika Jackson (14.5 p.p.g.) of the Dustdevils. Chacon is No. 5 and Jackson No. 9 on the league scoring charts. Jackson is also third in rebounding (8.9 per game).  Teammate Tina Dang is the HC's to three-point threat, at 2.6 made per game from beyond the arc.

TAMIU's lone Heartland loss was to frontrunner Lubbock Christian last Saturday. The Dustdevils only other setbacks this season were a pair of non-conference losses to Texas A&M-Kingsville.

On Saturday (1 p.m.) in San Antonio, McM will take on the Heartland's No. 3-ranked scorer – Jackie Woods (17.2 p.p.g.) and her St. Mary's teammates. Kiara Ethridge and Morgan Pullins are among the stat leaders for rebounds. Ethridge is No. 2 at 10.1 boards per game, followed closely by Pullins at 8.7 r.p.g. Pullins is also second in blocks at 1.3 rejections per game.

McMurry - despite the loss to St. Ed's - played a stellar game, especially on the defensive end where it held the Hilltoppers to their lowest output of the season.

"I was extremely pleased that we put together a complete game and played hard," said McM head coach Veronica Snow of her team's efforts against SEU. "That was one of our goals. We had the scoring opportunities and just didn't put the ball in the hole."

Snow knows exactly what's ahead for her War Hawks this week, as well.

"We're hoping our team chemistry and great defense will frustrate them," Snow said of taking on TAMIU. "Sometimes teams that score a lot of points get frustrated with our defense. We've seen that some already this year."

"(St. Mary's) has outstanding athletes," Snow continued about SMU. "They're quick; they can penetrate; they do trapping stunts and stuff at halfcourt. They also like to run.

"No night is easy. Each game we have to be ready to go out and play. But if it was easy, it probably wouldn't be as much fun."

McM will bring a few weapons of its own into the battles. Senior forward Keshia Collins dots the Heartland statistics in several places. Collins is No. 4 in scoring (16.8 p.p.g.), No. 13 in rebounds (6.4 r.p.g.), No. 5 in steaLS (2.5 S.P.G.) and 10th in blocked shots.

Sophomore guard Sierra Maykus is 29th in scoring (9.6 p.p.g.) and tied for 12th in three-point baskets made per game. Sophomore center Ana Dominguez is tied for third in blocks at 1.3 per game

Both games can be heard live locally on KSLI, 1280 AM with the pre-game show beginning 20 minutes ahead of the scheduled tip-off time. The games can also be heard via links on the War Hawks' web site at mcmurrysports.com, as well.