ABILENE, Texas -   In an early-season women's basketball battle between American Southwest Conference division leaders, West Division frontrunner McMurry University handed East Division pole-sitter University of Texas-Tyler its first league loss, 83-73, at Kimbrell Arena. The War Hawks (5-3, 4-0 ASC) rolled to their fourth-consecutive win, as well, by topping the Patriots (4-3, 2-1 ASC).
 
The two teams slugged it out in the first half, which featured nine ties and nine lead changes.  When the dust had settled from the first two quarters, it was UTT holding a 38-36 advantage going into the break.  Neither team was able to even reach a double-digit lead in the first 20 minutes.
 
McMurry's duo of senior Sham Hunter and junior transfer Monica Jones took matters into their own hands in the final two quarters. Hunter would score 19 of her game-leading 23 points in the second half of play alone.  For the evening, Hunter was 7-of-11 from the floor, 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, and 6-of-8 from the free throw stripe.  She also pulled down six rebounds.
 
Jones tallied 14 of her 21 points in the final two quarters, as well. For the game, Jones hit 50 percent (8-16) of her field goal tries – hitting 4-of-6 from three-point land - while also hauling in five boards before fouling out.
 
In all, the War Hawks had four players reach double-figure scoring against the Patriots. Sophomore Sarah Doherty led McM's assault from long range by canning 5-of-8 treys.  Doherty finished with 19 points, five rebounds and a game-leading six assists.  As a team, the War Hawks were 13-of-21 on three-point attempts.
 
Skyler Reyna posted her second double-double game of the year. Reyna booked 12 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. She also had three assists.
 
Sophomore guard Isabel Carrion had a balanced effort of six points, four rebounds, five assists and a game-best four steals. Kaymee Howell contributed six rebounds and three assists, with Carrion and Hunter each blocking a shot, as well.
 
During it current win skein – all ASC games – the War Hawks are shooting a collective 42 percent from the field, nearly 42 percent from beyond the arc and out-scoring its foes by 12.3 points per game.
 
McMurry will put its win streak on the line next Friday (Dec. 15) when it plays host to Texas Lutheran University in a non-conference bout.