ABILENE, Texas – For the bulk of its match-up versus the American Southwest Conference West Division leader, the McMurry University women's basketball team had first-place Howard Payne University on the ropes. But, in the end, the War Hawks (5-11, 1-7 ASC) were edged by the Lady Jackets (10-7, 7-1 ASC) on a last-second basket at Kimbrell Arena.
 
With the score knotted at 48-48 and just three seconds left to play, HPU's Sarahi Castillo missed a layup and the ball careened out of bounds to the War Hawks under the Lady Jackets goal. McM's Haley Welch inbounded to Sham Hunter on the right side, who then tried a cross-court pass. HPU's Presley McKethan intercepted the ball in the lane and laid it up as the clock expired.
 
The shot by McKethan went in, but officials huddled to check the replay to make certain.  After several minutes, the crew confirmed the shot was good and that there was on-half second left on the game clock.  McKethan, who was also fouled on the play, also sank the free throw for the 51-48 final score.   
 
It was a tough loss in which the youthful McMurry squad – sporting just one senior among its numbers – gave the Lady Jackets a run for their money.  The War Hawks held the lead for better than 20 minutes of the game, compared to HPU holding the upper hand for just over 12 minutes.  There were seven ties and a total of eight lead changes on the afternoon.
 
McM appeared headed toward the possible upset early on.  Howard Payne led 20-13 after one quarter, but McM out-scored the lady Jackets 13-6 in the second stanza and send the teams to the locker room tied at 26-26.  McM dominated the third quarter, as well, leading by a 41-35 margin heading into the final segment. HPU limited the war Hawks to seven points in the fourth, while adding 16 of their own to close the game.
 
McMurry was led by Hunter, who registered her fourth double-double of the season. Hunter had 11 points and 12 rebounds. She also made three steals.
 
Freshman Isabel Carrion had a career-high 12 points, connecting on 6-of-10 from the field. Carrion also grabbed six rebounds and passed off for a pair of assists.
 
Welch was the War Hawks' third double-digit scorer with 10 points, while also snaring six boards. Freshman Skyler Reyna was held scoreless for the first time in her 15-game career, thus far, but led all players with 13 rebounds.
 
McM will be off until next Saturday (Jan. 21) when it travels across town to face Hardin-Simmons to begin a string of five-consecutive road games.  A non-conference game originally scheduled at home next Monday (Jan. 16) versus Rust College was canceled by the opponent.