MENOMONIE, Wis. – McMurry University Men's Basketball couldn't overcome a 22-point halftime deficit in an 82-71 setback to UW-Eau Claire in its final game of the UW-Stout Tipoff Tournament Saturday evening at Johnson Fieldhouse.

The War Hawks (1-1) got on the board first with a three by senior forward Jordan Jackson, but the Blugolds (2-1) used a 20-1 run to build a 16-point lead and never looked back. Eau Claire would extend the lead to as many as 23 multiple times in the first half and held a 47-25 advantage at the break.

McMurry shot just 31 percent from the field in the half while committing nine turnovers. Eau Claire shot 58.1 percent in the first half.

For the second night in a row, the War Hawks came out of the locker room with some energy, trimming the lead to 13 in the first eight minutes. Jackson had nine of his team-high 19 points during the spurt.

But the War Hawks could never get all the way back, getting within 13 numerous time later in the half, and once cut the lead to 12. Sophomore guard Khalil Butler hit a three with seconds remaining for the final margin.

McMurry outscored the Blugolds 46-35 in the second half, shooting 50 percent from the floor and 70 percent from behind the arc. After dominating in the paint the night before, the War Hawks were outscored in the lane 34-18.

Junior forward Mike Williams Jr. tallied 17 points and seven rebounds, while junior guard Zacc Carter added seven points and seven boards. The War Hawks shot 11-19 (57.9 percent) from three-point range on the evening.

McMurry will make its first appearance in Kimbrell Arena in its next game November 23 against Schreiner University at 6:30 p.m.