ABILENE, Texas – A rivalry named the Crosstown Showdown lived up to its billing Saturday afternoon at the Mabee Complex, as McMurry University Men's Basketball knocked off Hardin-Simmons University, 75-70.
With the game knotted at 69, junior forward Mike Williams Jr. threw down a one-handed slam with just under a minute left to put McMurry ahead for good in front of a raucous crowd. HSU had a chance to tie or take the lead, but the three-point attempt rimmed out as junior guard Dedrick Berry Jr. sealed the win with a pair of free throws.
The War Hawks (8-12, 5-6 ASC) dominated the first half, as they shot 64.3 percent from the floor. They led 15-5 at the first media timeout, and continued to stretch their lead over the next four minutes. A layup by sophomore guard Khalil Butler put the War Hawks up 26-7 prior to the halfway mark of the first half. This capped an 11-0 McMurry run.
HSU (11-9, 6-5 ASC) could only get within 15 points during the half, and the War Hawks grabbed their largest lead of the half at 43-20 with a minute remaining on a layup by Williams. McMurry's defense held the Cowboys to just 25.8 percent shooting in the half.
"I thought we played our best half of the year the first half," Head Coach Zach Pickelman said. "We were dialed in both offensively and defensively."
However, as in any rivalry game, the Cowboys made a second half push. Four of the game's six technical fouls were also called in the second half. HSU trimmed the deficit to single digits in the first six minutes of the half, and got as close as 50-47 at the 11:24 mark.
Over the next seven minutes, the War Hawks slowly regained control of the game. With 4:18 left McMurry stretched the lead to 13 at 67-54, before the Cowboys made their final push before the Williams dunk.
"We knew Hardin-Simmons would make a run, they're a good team, and they did," Pickelman said. "We withstood it and made just enough shots there in the end to come out with a W."
Williams did a little bit of everything for the War Hawks Saturday, leading the team with a double-double on game-highs of 23 points and 11 rebounds on 10-of-14 shooting. He collected three steals and two blocks, as well.
"Mike has been doing what Mike does all year. He's one of our guys and one of our guys has to play well for us to win, and he played well today," Pickelman noted on the performance by Williams.
Back into the starting lineup, Berry continued to play well. He notched season highs with 15 points and six assists to go along with three rebounds.
"We've put him in different roles, and he came today, he got the starting job and he did great," Pickelman said on the play of Berry. "Offensively and defensively, and his voice, he's a positive voice in our locker room."
Junior guard Zacc Carter gave the War Hawks three players in double figures with 12 points, and also grabbed six boards.
The War Hawks shot 51.9 percent overall, and led for a total of 39:15. McMurry had an advantage in points in the paint, 30-24, and forced 22 Cowboy turnovers. They held the Cowboys to just 34.4 percent from the field for the game and 21.1 percent from beyond the arc.
McMurry returns to Kimbrell Arena Thursday to host Mary Hardin-Baylor at 7:30 p.m. The War Hawks defeated the Cru, 75-72, January 12 in Belton.
