ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University's men's basketball team was unable to overcome the overwhelming inside game of the University of Texas at Dallas in a 72-47 home loss at Kimbrell Arena.
 
The War Hawks (2-13) did not have an answer for the Comets (8-3) height advantage, as UTD nearly doubled McM's total boards (51-26). The Comets also out-scored McMurry in the paint, 28-8.  Additionally, bench scoring proved to be a factor with the War Hawks being out done, 35-13, by UTD's bench numbers.
 
McM stayed close in the opening half, trailing by just six points – 31-25 – at the intermission. However, the War Hawks began to show some wear-and-tear in the second stanza, as the Comets blazed to a 41-22 margin to close the game.
 
In somewhat of an oddity, both teams had just one player in double-figure scoring. UTD's Noah Hill came off the visitor's bench to tally a game-leading 25 points. Hill was 9-of-13 and 6-of-8 from beyond the arc.
 
McMurry was led by Nate Estrada's 14 points.  The junior was 5-for-9 from the floor – 2-of-5 from three-point range – and also had three assists.
 
Senior Chris Cerny drained three treys in the game to account for his nine points. Freshman guard Calvin McGee added seven points, going 4-for-4 from the free throw line.
 
Sophomore LaRandall Scroggins' six rebounds topped the War Hawks. Scroggins also had four points. Thierry Tchenko and Blake Cochran each chipped in four points, as well.
 
McMurry will next be in action on Thursday (Jan. 14) when it travels to Sul Ross State University for a 7:30 p.m. game in Alpine.