Box Score  
SAN ANGELO, Texas – McMurry University's men's basketball team dropped its opening game of the Ed Messbarger Classic by a 70-57 score to NCAA Division II foe St. Edward's University. The loss dropped the War Hawks to 0-2 on the young season.
 
The Hilltoppers put up the first nine points of the game, before McM ot on the board on a bucket by sophomore LaRandall Scroggins, 9-2, at the 14:30 juncture. SEU enjoyed its largest lead of the half – 19-6 – with 10:28 until the half.
 
McMurry responded with a run of its own, out-scoring the Hilltoppers 10-0 over the next in less than two minutes, climbing to within 19-16 with 8:34 left in the half. SEU took an eventual 33-28 advantage into the halftime locker room.
 
SEU came out in the second stanza and built its lead to double-digits within the first four minutes of the period, maintaining that cushion the bulk of the period. The Hilltoppers' biggest lead was 20 points (55-35), but the War Hawks made on last run.
 
With 3:30 left to play, the War Hawks got to within 11 points after a pair of Thierry Tchenko free throws, 66-55. However, McMurry would get no closer as SEU kept McM at bay.
 
Scroggins finished with a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds, both team-best figures for the War Hawks. All 12 of Scroggins' boards came on the defensive end.
 
Nate Estrada was also in double figures for McM with 10 points. Estrada was 3-of-9 from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc. He also pulled down seven rebounds.
 
Tchenko finished with eight points, making a living at the free throw stripe by connecting on 6-for-9 charity tosses. He and teammate Blake Cochran each passed off for three assists, as well.
 
Sophomore Aaron Gettys and senior Chris Cerny each chipped in seven points.  Gettys hauled in six caroms.
 
The War Hawks will face Schreiner University on Saturday at 5 p.m. in the team's second game of the Ed Messbarger Classic.