ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University Men's Basketball returns to Kimbrell Arena this week after playing nine of their last 10 games on the road. The War Hawks will continue American Southwest Conference West Division play by hosting Sul Ross State University and Howard Payne University.
Tipoff versus the Lobos is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday with the tip against Howard Payne slated for 3 p.m. Saturday. Saturday's game will feature a game at halftime by area Special Olympic athletes. Live stats and video links can be found at mcmurrysports.com.
NOTES:
LAST WEEK: The War Hawks split a pair of ASC West Division road games, falling at Concordia Texas, 97-62, before bouncing back with a 75-72 victory at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
STREAK SNAPPED: McMurry snapped a seven game losing streak with the win at UMHB. It was the first time the War Hawks defeated the Cru since the 2012 ASC Tournament Semifinals.
DOUBLE TROUBLE: Sophomore guard Khalil Butler notched back-to-back double-doubles for the second time this season with 14 points and 14 rebounds at Concordia, followed by 14 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in the win at UMHB. Butler leads the team with four double-doubles, while junior forward Mike Williams Jr. has three.
HOMEWARD BOUND: The War Hawks have played nine of their last 10 games away from home. Four of the next five and five of the remaining eight games will be played at Kimbrell Arena.
GLASS CLEANERS: Butler and Williams Jr. are on pace to be the first War Hawks teammates to average more than seven rebounds per game since the 2011-12 season when Steven Jones and Domenick Walker averaged 8.8 and 8.7 boards per game, respectively. Williams Jr. leads the team and is fifth in the ASC at 7.4 per game, with Butler sixth in the ASC at 7.3 per game.
STATISTICAL LEADERS: In addition to leading the team in rebounding, Williams Jr. leads the War Hawks at 14.2 points per game. Junior guard Zacc Carter and Butler give the War Hawks three players in double figures at 13.8 and 11.3 points per game, respectively.
SCOUTING SUL ROSS: The Lobos are fourth in the ASC West at 8-8, 3-4 ASC. Sul Ross has won six of their last eight games. They rank second in the ASC in three pointers made, averaging 8.8 per game. Junior forward B.J. Hollis leads a trio averaging 13.0 points per game with 13.7. Hollis also leads the Lobos at 6.5 rebounds per game.
SCOUTING HPU: Howard Payne enters the week at 3-13, 1-6 ASC. Senior guard Shadd Cole paces the Yellow Jackets' offense at 15.6 points per game while senior center Thomas Bingham anchors the middle with 8.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
