PINEVILLE, La. – McMurry University's men's basketball team wasn't half bad versus Louisiana College, but a sluggish second period spelled an 85-61 loss on the road at H.O. West Fieldhouse. The War Hawks (1-5) were tied 35-35 at the half with the Wildcats (2-5), who own a win over NCAA Division I McNeese State earlier this season.
 
McMurry shot a comfortable 41 percent in the opening segment (11-of-27), while foes Louisiana College hit 46 percent (15-33).  McM was able to stay close by converting 9-of-10 free throw attempts in the first 20 minutes.
 
But the second half proved 180-degree turn as their field goal percentage fell to 28 percent (10-of-36). Conversely, the Wildcats got hotter from the floor by hitting 55 percent (18-of-33) and spelling doom for the War Hawks chances.
 
Sophomore LaRandall Scroggins led McM with 12 points, as his team's only double-figure scorer. Scroggins made good on 6-of-14 from the field. He also pulled down a team-leading six rebounds and had two steals.
 
Newcomer Romelo Robinson contributed eight points, thanks to a 3-for-6 effort from the field and 2-for-3 from the free throw line.  Junior Thierry Tchenko and sophomore Aaron Gettys hit for seven points and grabbed four boards, apiece.
 
A trio of War Hawks – Nate Estrada, Blake Cochran and Chris Cerny – all scored six points in the setback. Cochran and Cerny got all of their points from beyond the three-point line. Cerny also had four rebounds.
 
McMurry also found itself out-rebounded by a 45-33 margin. LC's defensive pressure also forced 16 War Hawk turnovers and blocked seven shots.