Box Score PLAINVIEW, Texas – McMurry University's men's basketball suffered its first loss of the 2014-15 season, falling to the No. 21-ranked team in the NAIA, Wayland Baptist University, 91-61. The loss dropped the War Hawks to 2-1 on the year, while the Pioneers improved to 5-0.
The War Hawks sorely missed senior leading scorer and rebounder
Connor Robinson (who came in averaging 40.5 points and 18.0 rebounds per game). Robinson took an elbow to the head that opened a cut above his eye in the opening minute of play. He tried to continue briefly, but was unable to return to action.
Robinson was especially missed in the opening stanza, as McM found itself down by double digits midway through the period. The War Hawks cut the Pioneers cushion to nine points – 45-36 – but could get no closer, as WBU went on a mini-burst that built its halftime advantage to 50-36.
Even minus Robinson, the War Hawks shot fairly well in the first 20 minutes, hitting 43.8 percent from the field. The problem was that the Pioneers shot 53.8 percent from the floor and had seven more attempts.
The second half entirely belonged to the Pioneers, as Wayland extended its lead to 20 points by the 16:55 juncture of the period. WBU lead by as much as 33 with 2:44 left to play.
Alex Lewis led McMurry with 15 points, all scored in the first half. Lewis was 5-of-12 from the floor and 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. He also had five rebounds.
Aaron Gettys had 10 points as the only other McM player in double digits. Gettys was 4-of-9 from the floor and canned a pair of treys, as well.
Jordan Holmes had a balanced effort of eight points, six assists and two steals.
Cutter Smith and
Zachary Campbell had six points, apiece.
Hondo Webb paced McMurry's rebounding efforts with seven boards.
LaRandall Scroggins joined Lewis with five caroms.
The War Hawks ended up shooting 32.8 percent from the field for the game (22-67). WBU stayed hot in the second half, hitting 53 percent (35-66) for the game.
McM will play at Lubbock Christian on Tuesday. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.
