ABILENE, Texas – Junior Sham Hunter scored a game-high 23 points for the McMurry University women's basketball team, but it was not enough to overcome Louisiana College in its American Southwest Conference opener, 71-63, at Kimbrell Arena. The War Hawks fell to 1-3 overall (0-1 ASC), while the Wildcats picked up their first win of the year (1-2, 1-0 ASC).
 
The two clubs kept matters close in the opening period, with the largest lead by either team being four points, and LC leading 12-10 after the first 10 minutes. At the 7:31 mark of the second stanza the War Hawks got to within one point, 15-14, after senior Haley Welch made a steal then threw a perfect strike to sophomore teammate Mackenzie Kimball for an easy layup.
 
However, after that the Wildcats went created some separation before the halftime break. LC went on a 10-0 run over the next four minutes to expand its advantage to double digits, 25-14.  Louisiana College took a 32-22 lead into the locker room. In the third period, McM outscored the Wildcats 24-22, slightly cutting into the visitors' lead (54-46).
 
The scrappy McMurry team refused to give in, however, saving on last push for the fourth quarter. McM whittled away at the deficit and, with 3:02 left in the game, caught the Wildcats at 61-61 on a three-point play by Madison Davis.  A layup by Hunter would make the score 63-63 with 2:22 remaining and would be McM's last points of the day, as the Wildcats outscored the hosts 8-0 to close the game.
 
Hunter was McMurry's lone double-figure scorer, hitting 8-of-13 from the field and 7-for-7 from the free throw line. Hunter also grabbed a game-high eight rebounds and four assists.
 
Taylor Kolodziej added eight points and four boards off the McM bench. Skyler Reyna chipped in seven points, while Isabel Carrion and Welch each managed six rebounds. Carrion had four steals, as well.