ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University Men's Basketball needed just a few more minutes Thursday night, as their comeback bid against University of Mary Hardin-Baylor came up just short, falling 92-86 to the Crusaders at Kimbrell Arena in a key American Southwest Conference matchup.

Down by as many as 14 points with just under three minutes remaining, the War Hawks (8-13, 5-7 ASC) made one final rally to make things interesting. A three by junior guard Dedrick Berry Jr. brought McMurry within 85-80 with 33 ticks left, and after a pair of UMHB free throws, senior guard Shakur Smith hit a three of his own to make it 87-83 with 29 seconds left.

On the ensuing inbounds play, Berry was whistled for a flagrant foul, where the Crusaders (16-5, 7-5 ASC) would sink one of two free throws and put the game away with a fast break layup after getting the ball right back.

McMurry started strong, racing out to a 10-4 lead in the first five minutes. After trading the lead on the next few possessions, the Cru went on a 14-1 run to take a lead they would not relinquish. The War Hawks battled back to within three on a put back dunk by junior forward Krishawn Terry, but UMHB scored the final four points of the half and took a seven-point lead into the break.

UMHB would lead by double-figures the majority of the second half, as the War Hawks could not turn the momentum before catching fire in the final minutes.

Junior guard Zacc Carter led the War Hawks with 20 points, shooting 50.0 percent from the field and knocking down 8-of-10 attempts from the free throw line. Sophomore guard Colin Taylor poured in 17 points off the bench, connecting on 4-of-5 shots from distance. Junior forward Mike Williams Jr. gave the War Hawks three players in double-figures with 12 points, and notched his fifth double-double of the year with a game-high 12 boards.

Senior forward Jordan Jackson added nine points, with junior guard Trevin Ramirez and Smith each tallying eight points, respectively. Berry and Taylor each dished out three assists.

Both teams shot over 45.0 percent from the floor, but UMHB had the edge in points in the paint, bench points, points off turnovers and fast break points.

In a foul filled contest, both teams combined for 68 free throw attempts, with the War Hawks converting at a clip of 77.4 percent.

McMurry will look to keep a hold of their fourth seed in the West Division Saturday, when it hosts West Division leader Concordia Texas at 3 p.m. in Kimbrell Arena.