ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University men's basketball took advantage of a respite in the conference schedule, rolling to a 121-95 non-league win at home over Ecclesia College. The War Hawks' (9-13) big win over the Royals (10-11) was the McM team's largest offensive display of the season.
 
It was also the most points scored by a McMurry squad since the 2005-06 campaign, when it lambasted Concordia University-Texas with a 138-point effort.  The 216 combined points by McM and Ecclesia was the most since that same 2005-06 contest against CUTX when the teams combined for 250.
 
To put the War Hawks' offensive explosion into perspective, one need only consider that a total of players scored in double figures for the game. No less than six other players were within one possession of also reaching double digits, as well. The McM bench out-scored the Royals' reserves, 59-2.
 
Freshman Mike Williams Jr., making his first start of the season, had an impressive night.  Williams Jr. had his first collegiate double-double, notching career-high totals in both points (16) and rebounds (12). He hit an efficient 6-of-9 from the field and also had two of the War Hawks' four blocked shots as a team.
 
Junior forward Aaron Gettys led his team in scoring with a season high 19 points. Gettys was 7-for-13 from the floor and 3-of-5 from beyond the three-point line. Freshman Zacc Carter tallied 15 points, thanks to a 9-of-11 effort from the free throw stripe.
 
Senior Nate Estrada followed with 13 points and Darius Watts added 10. Nearing double-digit scoring were: Gabriel Chacon (9), LaRandall Scroggins (9), Krishawn Terry (8), Shakur Smith (8), Calvin McGee (7) and Luke Stephenson (7).
 
McGee had game-leading totals in both assists (7) and steals (3) from his point guard position. Scroggins and Carter each passed off for four assists, as well. Terry grabbed seven rebounds, while Watts and Scroggins each pulled down five boards.
 
As a team, the War Hawks out-rebounded the Royals by a commanding 56-30 margin. The plus-26 total was McM's largest advantage on the glass this season.
 
Just over five minutes into the game, however, it was the Royals who looked as if they might run away with a big win. Ecclesia grabbed a 20-9 advantage at the 14:57 juncture of the opening period.
 
But McM began to click, catching EC at 8:43 on a pair of Stephenson free throws and, just a minute later, taking the lead for good on a Williams Jr. free throw, 33-32. By the intermission, McMurry had amassed its biggest half of the season and took a 63-53 cushion into the locker room.
 
McMurry will next host Hardin-Simmons University on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Kimbrell Arena.