ABILENE, Texas – The first meeting of the season between McMurry University men's basketball and longtime local rival Hardin-Simmons University, went into the host's "W" column, 83-78, at Kimbrell Arena. The War Hawks improved to 6-12 overall and 5-7 in the American Southwest Conference, while the Cowboys fell to 7-12 on the year and 5-7 in league play.
 
The game played out exactly as one might have anticipated it would, considering the familiarity of head coaches Zach Pickelman of McMurry and Matt Brackett of HSU. The pair - who were former teammates at HSU and are still best friends - probably were able to easily anticipate what the other might do in their "chess game."  It's a fact that would account for a total of 14 lead changes and four tie scores, with no team leading by more than single digits at any point of the contest (HSU led by four in the first half and McM by eight in the second).
 
The War Hawks used some deft passing – registering 17 assists on 31 field goals made – that resulted in a 54-percent average from the field (31-57). McM overcame a 35-52 halftime deficit, out-scoring the Cowboys 51-43 in the second half.
 
McMurry also cleaned the glass by out-rebounding HSU, 39-30.
 
Senior LaRandall Scroggins had a big game for McMurry. Scroggins shared high-point honors (with HSU's Caleb Spoon) by pouring in 24. Scroggins was 11-of-17 from the floor. He also pulled down nine rebounds in his 34 minutes on the court, narrowly missing a double-double.
 
Sophomore guard Zacc Carter was able to complete his double-double by booking 15 points and 10 boards. Carter was 5-of-10 from the field and 5-of-7 from the free throw line. He also had two of McM's three blocked shots.
 
Mike Williams Jr. put in 5-of-7 shot attempts, finishing with 11 points. Luke Stephenson was the fourth War Hawk with double-figures, tallying 10 points. Stephenson snared eight rebounds and dished off three assists, while Williams had McM's other blocked shot.
 
Guards Aaron Gettys and Dedrick Berry Jr. finished the night with seven and six points, respectively. Darius Watts and Shakur Smith had four points, apiece. Colin Taylor chipped in two points to cap off the War Hawks' scoring.
 
McMurry will host Arlington Baptist University on Friday evening (7:30 p.m.) in a non-conference bout at Kimbrell Arena.