ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University men's basketball gave the NAIA's No.-12 ranked team – Wayland Baptist University – all it wanted, before eventually falling by a 103-91 score at Kimbrell Arena. The War Hawks fell to 1-9 on the year, while the Pioneers improved to 10-1.
 
Although WBU held the lead for the vast majority of the game, the two teams slugged it out. Especially in the opening half, the War Hawks stayed on the Pioneers' trail. A free throw by Blake Cochran with 4:20 left in the first period drew McM to within one, 36-35. The Pioneers were able to generate some separation the balance of the stanza, going on a 13-4 run and a 48-39 locker room lead for the visitors.
 
WBU built its margin to double digits early in the second half and – with 8:10 left in the game – had its largest lead of the night, 23 points (83-60).
 
But the War Hawks' still battled hard down the stretch. With 1:42 left on the game clock, a free throw by Aaron Gettys got his team to within 10 points, 92-82. Unfortunately, McMurry would get no closer against the highly-rated Pioneers.
 
Sophomore LaRandall Scroggins continued his strong play with team-leading totals in both points (19) and rebounds (7). Scroggins connected on 9-of-20 from the floor.
 
Senior Chris Cerny and junior Gabriel Chacon had nice nights off the McM bench for head coach Zach Pickelman. Cerny was 5-for-11 shooting – 3of-8 from beyond the arc – and 5-of-6 from the free throw line, good for 18 points. Cerny also dished off for five assists.
 
Chacon also passed for five assists and added 15 points, along with five rebounds. Chacon was an efficient 6-of-9 from the field, two of which were from three-point range.
 
Junior Nate Estrada was McM's fourth double-figure scorer with 11 points. Estrada also pulled down five rebounds and gave off three assists.  Gettys finished with eight points and freshman point guard Calvin McGee chipped in seven.
 
Both teams shot well for the game. WBU hit nearly 49 percent (39-80) and the War Hawks were at 47 percent (34-73). Both team converted 14 free throws, but the Pioneers held a large 57-37 edge in rebounding.