ABILENE, Texas -  McMurry University women's basketball will return to Kimbrell Arena this weekend, hosting sixth-ranked University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Thursday evening and Concordia Texas Saturday afternoon. Tipoff versus the Crusaders is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. with the tip against the Tornados slated for 1 p.m.
 
McMurry was topped in its only game last week, the Crosstown Showdown at Hardin-Simmons. Tied at the end of the first quarter after a Sarah Doherty buzzer beater, HSU used a strong second quarter to build a 15-point lead at the half. But McMurry would battle back in the second half, chipping away to get the deficit within single digits, before ultimately falling, 72-64. Doherty led the War Hawks with 16 points, while Skyler Reyna added yet another double-double on 13 points and 14 boards. Brittany Rodgers and London Weilert chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively.


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FOLLOW THE ACTION:  Links to live statistics and video will be available on the McMurry Athletics web site: www.mcmurrysports.com

SCOUTING UMHB:  The No. 6 Crusaders are undefeated in ASC play at 11-0, and 19-1 on the year. They lead the ASC in scoring offense, led by junior guard Hannah Holt's 16.3 points per game. Junior guard Kendall Rollins is second on the team with 13.8 points per game. The Cru lead the ASC in rebounding, blocked shots and assists, as well.
 
LAST TIME OUT VERSUS THE CRUSADERS:  The Crusaders were too much for the War Hawks in their first meeting this season. McMurry trailed by just one point after the first quarter and down just 14 after three, but the Cru pulled away in the final stanza for a 94-59 victory. Doherty and Reyna led the War Hawks with 17 and 12 points, respectively. Weilert and Savannah Johnson each totaled nine points.
  
SCOUTING CTX:  McMurry is in a three-way tie with the Tornados along with Sul Ross State for fourth in the ASC West at 3-8. Concordia is currently on a five game losing skid, dating back to the first game against the War Hawks. Junior guard Kaycie Dunkerley and junior forward Payton Berger are both in the top 10 in the ASC in scoring at 15.8 and 14.1 points per game, respectively. Berger also ranks fifth in rebounding at 7.8 boards per contest.
 
LAST TIME OUT VERSUS THE TORNADOS: The War Hawks won a thriller the last time they met the Tornados earlier this month. Concordia tied the game in the final minute of regulation before both teams had chances to win it before the final buzzer. In the extra frame, the War Hawks used a 6-0 spurt to jump in front and closed out the game with a pair of free throws by Doherty. Trailing by three, Concordia settled for a layup as time expired to give McMurry the 70-69 overtime win.

EYES TO "THE SKY": McMurry University junior forward Skyler Reyna has hit several career milestones already in 2018-19, including:
500^th career rebound                   12/3/18 at Ozarks
600^th career rebound                   1/17/19 vs. Sul Ross State
Current career rebound total       629
700^th career point                         11/11/18 at Houston Baptist
800^th career point                         12/20/18 vs. UT-Dallas
900^th career point                         1/17/19 vs. Sul Ross State
Current career points total          940
 
BALANCING ACT:  In all, McM has a total of seven players averaging better than 5.0 points per game this season. Additionally, six players average more than 2.0 rebounds per game.

SHOOTING STAR: Freshman Savannah Johnson is shooting a team-leading .479 (67-140) in her first collegiate campaign.
 
SEEING DOUBLE-DOUBLE: Skyler Reyna has 12 double-double games, thus far, in 2018-19. In her career, Reyna has 31 double-double games.
 
HELPING HANDS: Junior guard Isabel Carrion leads McM in assists, averaging 3.0 "helps" per contest. She also contributes 6.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. Carrion matched her single-game career-high with eight assists versus Covenant (12/29/18). She has at least two assists in 18 of the 20 contests.
 
AMONG THE ASC LEADERS: Individually, several War Hawks rank among the ASC statistical leaders: Scoring- Reyna (14th/13.1 ppg), Doherty (23rd/10.1 ppg); Rebounds- Reyna (3rd/10.0 rpg); Field Goal %- S. Johnson (8th/.479); Assists- Carrion (12th/3.0); Steals- Machuca (15^th/1.8); 3-Point Field Goals Made- Machuca (12th/1.5 pg), Doherty (13th/1.4 pg); Blocked Shots- Doherty (8th/0.8 pg); Assist/Turnover Ratio- Carrion (9th/+1.3 pg). 
 
NEXT WEEK FOR McM: The War Hawks will head on the road for the final time in the regular season to visit Howard Payne (Feb. 7/5:30 p.m.) and Sul Ross State (Feb. 9/1 p.m.).