BELTON, Texas – McMurry University women's basketball took the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor to overtime, before succumbing by a 70-65 score at the Mayborn Campus Center. The War Hawks fell to 5-18, while the Crusaders improved to 14-10.
For a few moments it appeared as though McMurry – which battled back from a 10-point halftime deficit (29-19) – had pulled out a win as regulation expired. With just 14 seconds left in the fourth quarter, McM had possession.
Sierra Maykus took a 10-foot jumper that was rebounded by
Taylor Russell. Russell quickly put the ball back up – as the buzzer went off – and it went in the basket.
The officials initially called the shot good as the War Hawks celebrated. But the officials then decided to review the video replay. After several minutes watching and re-watching the play, then more time huddling near mid-court, the basket was waived off – ruling the clock had gone off prior to Russell's release - to send matters to overtime, 58-58.
UMHB led by a single point one minute in to the extra period, 60-59. Junior guard
Haley Welch buried a jumper in the paint, off an assist from
Amye Templeton, to give the War Hawks the upper hand, 61-60. But the Crusaders would out-score McM by a 10-4 margin the rest of the way to wrest away the win.
Seniors
Taylor Russell and Maykus led the War Hawks' sterling effort. Russell led all scorers and booked her 16th double-double of the season, thanks to her 21 points and 15 rebounds. It was also Russell's 20th game in double-figure scoring (out of 23 played) this season. She also dished off four assists and had two steals.
Maykus drained 5-of-10 from beyond the arc on her way to a 20-point night. She was 7-of-17 overall from the field.
Sophomore transfer
Sham Hunter was 6-of-12 from the floor for 12 points as the only other double-figure scorer for the War Hawks. Hunter narrowly missed a double-double, as well, with nine boards. She also had four steals, a block and three steals.
Welch finished with nine points and
Chelsie Lail with three, rounding out McM's scoring.
The War Hawks will close the season on Saturday afternoon (1 p.m.) at Concordia University-Texas in Austin.
