ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University men's basketball won its second-consecutive game – and fourth out of its last five outings – by knocking off Texas Lutheran University, 59-56, in a non-conference game at Kimbrell Arena. The War Hawks improved to 4-3 with the win, while the Bulldogs fell to 2-4 overall.
 
The victory also avenged a loss to TLU on its home floor, 67-63, on November 25.  However, what looked like a potential blowout win in McM's favor did produce some anxious moments for McM in the rematch.
 
The War Hawks raced out to a 19-3 lead within the first eight minutes of the game and did not permit the Bulldogs to reach double digits in points until the 5:17 juncture of the first half.  McM led 39-18 heading into the halftime locker room.
 
A layup by Aaron Gettys to open the second half gave the War Hawks their largest lead of the game, 23 points (41-18). With 7:49 left to play in regulation, McM still held a commanding 21-point cushion on a Gettys layup. 56-35. 
 
TLU kept chipping away from that point on and the War Hawks went ice cold. McM did not score again until the final 22 seconds of the game, while the Bulldogs kept nipping at McMurry's heels. TLU drew to within a single point – 57-56 – when Jacob Kouremetis threw in a desperation three pointer.
 
TLU was unable to foul on the inbound pass, as McM flipped the ball up-court to a wide-open LaRandall Scroggins who threw down a power dunk with 1.8 seconds left to put an exclamation point on the hard-fought win, 59-56.
 
Scroggins finished the evening with a game-high 13 points. Scroggins made good on 5-of-7 from the floor, including going 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.  He also had four rebounds and a pair of steals.
 
Sophomore Zacc Carter had 10 points and had one of the teams three blocks in the game. Gettys finished the game with eight points and five rebounds, hitting 3-of-4 from the field. Darius Watts also chipped in eight points, grabbing five caroms, as well.
 
Point guard Dedrick Berry Jr. scored seven points and had a game-leading four assists.
 
McMurry will host Schreiner University in a non-conference tilt on Saturday (4 p.m.) at Kimbrell Arena.