ABILENE, Texas – Fresh off its emotional win last night over crosstown rival Hardin-Simmons University, the McMurry University men's basketball team continued its winning ways by knocking off Arlington Baptist University, 82-68, in a non-conference contest at Kimbrell Arena. The War Hawks' (7-12) victory over the Patriots (6-13) was its third-consecutive win, as well.
 
But the game had suspicious beginnings for McM, as Arlington Baptist raced out to a 10-point lead with 8:37 left in the first half, 27-17. But from that point on, the War Hawks fought back and produced a run of their own.  McMurry began to fire on all cylinders, taking the lead for good when Mike Williams Jr. laid the ball in with 3:47 left to make it 32-31.
 
After trailing by double figures, the War Hawks closed the half on a 24-7 run to carry a 41-34 lead into the locker room at the half. McM built on that advantage in the second half, leading by double digits the bulk of the period.
 
McMurry's inside game paid huge dividends. The War Hawks out-rebounded the Patriots by a 54-35 margin, 23 on the offensive glass.  That translated into 21 second-chance points and 40 points in the paint, overall.
 
Senior LaRandall Scroggins booked a team-leading 20 points, hitting 10-of-18 from the field. Scroggins also hauled in six rebounds and had two assists. 
 
(With his totals, Scroggins also inched closer to a pair of career milestones for his four-year McMurry tenure.  Scroggins needs 30 more points for 1,000 career points and is within three rebounds of 500 career boards.)
 
Williams registered the third double-double of the season. Williams dropped in 15 points and had a game-leading 16 rebounds.  He shot 7-of-13 from the floor and had two blocked shots.
 
Zacc Carter went 6-for-11 shooting on his way to a 16-point game. Carter also pulled down eight caroms, had a game-high five assists and blocked a shot.
 
Luke Stephenson finished with 14 points and seven rebounds. Aaron Gettys was the team's fifth double-figure scorer with 13 points, netting 6-of-10 shots. The War Hawks only other points came from Colin Taylor, who had four.
 
McMurry's reserves out-scored the ABU bench, 17-2, for the game.
 
The War Hawks will return to action on Thursday (Feb. 1) at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. in Belton.