ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University women's basketball team shot a season-high 45.9 percent from the floor in notching its first victory of the season in its American Southwest Conference opener versus Belhaven University, 77-74, at Kimbrell Arena. The War Hawks (1-5, 1-0 ASC) led the Blazers (1-3, 0-1 ASC) 39-36 at the half before pulling away in the final 20 minutes.
 
"I thought it was great," McMurry head coach Brittany Densman-Roes said of her team gaining win No. 1 of the season. "We did a lot of good things; we finally found our offense. I think the work is still not done and we have a lot of improvement to do. But a win is a win, no matter how ugly, no matter how hard-fought – no matter how scary – were just glad to have our first win.
 
"Like I told the girls before the game, we were 0-0 (in conference). Now we're 1-0 and that's all that matters."
 
Holding the precarious three-point advantage at the intermission, the War Hawks were able to extend their cushion by outscoring Belhaven 21-12 in the third period for a 12-point advantage, 60-48. McM then had to withstand a fourth quarter rally by the Blazers, that saw the visitors draw to within a single point, 74-73, with 1:08 left to play before three free throws from Sarah Doherty secured the win.
 
Junior forward Skyler Reyna had her best outing of the young season with 18 points. Reyna came off the bench to hit 6-of-13 from the floor and 6-of-8 free throws. She also had a team-leading eight rebounds, five rebounds and three assists.
 
London Weilert was 4-of-8 from the field and also a creditable 5-for-6 from the charity stripe, good for 13 points.  Freshman Savannah Johnson tallied 12 points, thanks to a 5-for-10 shooting night.
 
Junior guard Isabel Carrion chipped in a balanced effort of seven points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals. Senior Dominique Machuca was three-of-five, all from beyond the arc, booking nine points. Doherty and Brittany Rodgers each added eight points to the War Hawks' cause.
 
McMurry will try to make it two in a row when it hosts Louisiana College on Saturday (Dec. 1). Tipoff at Kimbrell Arena is slated for 1 p.m. as the first half of a women's-men's doubleheader.