DENVER, Colo. – McMurry University men's basketball won its second-consecutive game with a 68-61 victory over Valley City State University (N.D.) in the Johnson and Wales University Tournament at the Wildcat Center. The War Hawks improved to 5-7, while the Vikings fell below the .500 line at 8-9.
 
McMurry came out with an aggressive and smothering defense, forcing their NAIA foes into committing five fouls – two of the offensive variety – within the first four minutes of the game. But the War Hawks were unable to capitalize on VCSU's foul troubles. McM hit just two of its first nine field goal tries and committed three turnovers, trailing 9-4 at the 13:45 mark of the opening period.
 
The teams traded buckets over the next few minutes until the Vikings were able to build a 27-24 lead by the halftime break.
 
The War Hawks' defense clamped down on Valley City State at the outset of the second half and took control of matters. McM permitted the Vikings just two made field goals in the first 8:49 minutes of the second half, out-scoring VCSU 17-4, to take a 10-point lead. After Aaron Gettys hit the second of a two-shot foul, the War Hawks led 41-31.
 
McM would have its largest cushion of the game a little over a minute later, after a Connor Robinson layup made it 47-36. VCSU got to within a single point, 55-54, with 3:48 showing on the game clock. But a three-pointer by Gabriel Chacon and a layup by Alex Lewis gave McMurry some breathing room, 60-54, with 1:56 to go.
 
Robinson had his fifth-straight game with 20-plus points by pouring in 25 versus the Vikings. Robinson hit 10-of-13 from the floor and was 5-for-9 from the free throw line to lead all scorers. He also had eight rebounds and three assists to lead those categories, as well.
 
Alex Lewis booked 19 points for the second-consecutive game and hit double-figure scoring for the sixth game in a row. Lewis converted 5-of-7 from the charity stripe and was 7-for-13 from the field, overall. Lewis also chipped in six rebounds, two assists and a game-high four steals.
 
Freshman Gabriel Chacon equaled his season high with nine points, connecting on 2-of-3 from the field and all from beyond the three-point arc. Chacon also went 3-for-6 on free throws.  Hondo Webb added five points and four rebounds.
 
As a team, the War Hawks shot a blistering 51 percent (23-45) from the field and made good on 20-of-33 free throws. Valley City State was held to 37 percent shooting (19-52) from the floor and 16-of-22 on free throws.
 
McMurry held a 36-20 advantage for points in the paint. VCSU's bench did out-duel the McM reserves, 25-to-8 points.
 
The War Hawks will face the University of Jamestown on Saturday (3 p.m. CT/2 p.m. MT) to close out its tourney games in Denver.