JACKSON, Miss. – Taylor Russell registered her ninth double-double of the season for the McMurry University women's basketball team, but it was not enough to prevent a 73-69 loss at Belhaven University's Rugg Arena. The War Hawks fell to 2-10, while the Blazers improved to 5-6.
 
Russell led the McMurry scoring with 19 points, while also pulling down 14 rebounds. Russell converted 6-of-19 from the floor and was 7-of-8 from the free throw stripe (with all of her charity tosses coming in the first half). She continued to contribute in all areas by sharing the team high with five assists, while topping McM with four steals and one block, as well.
 
McMurry fell behind 16-12 after one quarter and was down by just a basket at the half, 37-35. Deft three-point shooting by the trio of Sierra Maykus, Amye Templeton and Kessha Bracy helped keep their team close, as each notched a pair from beyond the arc in the first half.
 
With 9:06 left in the third period, McM would take the lead for just the second time in the game, 40-39, on a long-range bucket from Maykus. It would also be the War Hawks final lead of the game.
 
The Blazers would begin to create some separation with McMurry, leading by as many as 12 points in the fourth quarter. McM would get to within one possession – 72-69 – after a jumper from Haley Welch with seven seconds left to play, but could get no closer.
 
Maykus finished the contest with 13 points, hitting 5-of-14 from the floor. Welch added 12 points and six rebounds, while Bracy came off the McM bench to connect on 4-of-7 shots on her way to 10 points.
 
Sham Hunter pulled down a game-high 16 rebounds. Hunter also had five points and five assists in her 39 minutes on the floor. Templeton finished with six points, and Chelsie Lail four points to round out the War Hawks' offense.