ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University Women's Basketball couldn't slow down sixth-ranked University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Thursday night at Kimbrell Arena, falling to the Crusaders, 88-57, in an American Southwest Conference West Division matchup.  

The War Hawks (6-15, 3-9 ASC) were within 11 points at 47-36 midway through the third quarter, but the Crusaders (20-1, 12-0 ASC) closed the quarter on a 9-3 run and outscored McMurry 32-18 in the final stanza for the final tally.

Both teams grinded through the first five minutes of the opening frame, with the War Hawks trailing just 7-6. However, an 11-0 run by UMHB opened up the game before junior guard Sarah Doherty ended the run with a pair of free throws.

UMHB extended the lead to as many as 18 in the second, while a pair of jumpers from junior guard London Weilert brought the War Hawks back within 14.

Trailing by 16 at intermission, Doherty came out of the locker room scoring the first five points of the half for the War Hawks to bring the deficit to 38-27. They would get within 11 numerous times in the quarter before the Cru broke the game open in the fourth.

Doherty led the War Hawks with 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including 3-of-4 from behind the three-point arc. Weilert chipped in 13 points going a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe. Junior forward Skyler Reyna was limited to seven points, but grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.

The long arms of the Crusaders forced 23 McMurry turnovers, which led to 21 fastbreak points. UMHB also held distinct advantages in points in the paint, points off turnovers, second chance points and bench points over the War Hawks.

Senior guard Dominique Machuca added nine points for McMurry, all via the three-point variety.

McMurry hosts Concordia Texas Saturday at 1 p.m. as both teams are in a tight battle for the fourth seed in the ASC West Division after the Tornados' loss to Hardin-Simmons tonight.