ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University men's basketball squared off versus crosstown foe Hardin-Simmons University, losing a hard-fought 90-84 decision at the Mabee Complex, giving each tam a win on its home floor. The War Hawks fell to 9-16 overall (6-11 ASC), while the Cowboys are now also 9-16 (7-10 in ASC games).
 
As might be expected in an McM-HSU match-up, the game was a nail-biter. The cowboys enjoyed their largest lead – eight points – in the first half, while the War Hawks held a five-point cushion midway through the second stanza. The game featured seven ties and 11 lead changes.
 
HSU went into the halftime locker room with a 47-42 lead. The Cowboys made a living inside, out-scoring McM 44-20 in the paint. McMurry converted 17 HSU turnovers into 26 points.
 
Four War Hawks finished in double-figure scoring, led by 25 from sophomore Luke Stephenson.  Stephenson hit 9-of-12 from the field, including canning 6-of-8 from three-point range.
 
Teammate Dedrick Berry Jr. also buried six shots (6-of-7) from long distance. Berry finished the afternoon with 22 points.
 
Sophomore guard Zacc Carter had 19 points and a team-leading seven rebounds. Carter dished off five assists and made two steals. Senior LaRandall Scroggins capped his four seasons in the Maroon and White with 10 points, five rebounds, five assists and a block.
 
In all, McMurry hit 15-of-32 shots from beyond the arc, nine more makes than the Cowboys.  But the host HSU team made its living at the free throw line, connecting on 24-of-32 (compared to 7-of-12 for the War Hawks).
 
Both teams found the majority of their scoring from the starters.  Both McM and HSU received eight points each from their respective benches.