ALPINE, Texas – Another balanced effort from the McMurry University women's basketball team led to its third-consecutive victory, thanks to a 74-54 decision at Sul Ross State University. With the win, the War Hawks (10-6, 8-2 ASC) took over first by percentage points in the American Southwest Conference West Division standings over the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, which was idle on Thursday, and Howard Payne (both at 7-2 in the ASC).
 
McMurry dispatched of the Lobos (5-12, 3-6 ASC) thanks largely to its inside game and some flat out hard work.  McM out-scored SRSU in the paint by a 35-16 margin. The War Hawks also crushed the Lobos on the glass, out-rebounding the hosts 46-26.  McM converted seven of its 10 offensive rebounds into baskets, for a 14-5 margin in second-chance points.
 
The two teams were locked up in an 11-11 battle with 1:43 left to play in the first quarter.  McM closed out the first with a 10-0 run – leading 21-11 at the end of the period – and scored the first six points of the second stanza, as well, 27-11.  The War Hawks led at the half, 42-29.
 
McMurry would extend its advantage tom 20 points, 59-39, by the end of the third period. The War Hawks led by as much as 31 points (70-39), before the Lobos whittle away some of the deficit versus the McM bench in the waning minutes.
 
For the sixth-consecutive game, McM sophomore Skyler Reyna posted a double-double.  Reyna led all scorers and rebounders with 22 points and 14 boards.  She hit 8-of-14 from the floor and also passed out four assists.
 
Sophomore guard Isabel Carrion knocked down 6-of-10 from the field to finish with 16 points. Carrion also dished off four assists and grabbed three rebounds.
 
Fellow sophomore guard Monica Jones was the third double-figure scorer for McMurry, booking 11 points. Jones had a pair of baskets from beyond the arc, as well as snagging three rebounds.
 
Sarah Doherty and Shabaria Walter each added seven points to the McM coffers. Doherty had five of her points in the first quarter alone. Chyna Washington chipped in five points, while Brittany Beaver tallied four. 
 
Senior Sham Hunter was held to an uncharacteristic two points. However, Hunter more than made up for her scoring drought by pulling down 10 rebounds and making three of McM's four steals as a team.
 
As a team, McMurry shot an impressive 49 percent (28-57) from the field and went 5-for-11 (46 percent), from three-point range.
 
The War Hawks will travel to Brownwood on Saturday (2 p.m.) for a key battle at Howard Payne University, currently tied for second in the ASC West standings.