LONGVIEW, Texas -  McMurry women's basketball battled back from a 14-point second half deficit to force overtime, but could not overtake host LeTourneau University, 79-75, in an American Southwest Conference game at Solheim Arena. The War Hawks saw their record fall to 4-11, 1-5 in the ASC, while the YellowJackets improved to 4-10 and 1-6 in conference.
 
The War Hawks trailed after the first quarter, 18-9, after scoring just one basket in the final three minutes. LETU kept up its push, buoyed by its three-point shooting, in extending its advantage the second quarter, leading 34-22 at the half. The YellowJackets still held a 50-43 cushion after three periods. A 23-16 run by the War Hawks in the fourth quarter sent the contest into extra time.
 
A layup by McM's Sarah Doherty opened scoring in the overtime to give McMurry its first lead of the day, but was quickly matched by LETU on its next possession and a pair of free throws put the hosts up by two, 70-68. The teams swapped baskets the next few possessions and the YellowJackets iced the game by making their free throws down the stretch.
 
Freshman Savannah Johnson led McMurry with 18 points, shooting 4-of-12 from the floor and converting 10-of-12 free throws. Johnson also pulled down 11 rebounds for the second double-double of her collegiate career. She gave off two assists and had three steals, as well.
 
Junior Skyler Reyna also enjoyed a double-double day, her seventh of the season and 26th of her McM career. Reyna dropped 12 points and a game-high 16 rebounds on the YellowJackets. Reyna hit 5-of-17 from the field.
 
Doherty was the War Hawks' third double-figure scorer finishing with 16 points. Doherty was 6-for-14 from the floor and 3-for-5 from the charity line. She also had a pair of blocked shots, as well.
 
Sophomore Chyna Washington contributed seven points and a game-leading four steals. London Weilert added five points and three assists. Autumn Johnson and Isabel Carrion each booked four points, while Dominique Machuca, Jaymi Gordon-Deans and Rodgers had three points apiece.
 
 The McM squad registered 15 steals, the third time in the past four games with double-digit theft totals and second most in a game this year. That results in 29 YellowJacket turnovers, the most by an opponent this season, as well.
 
McMurry will remain on the road next week, beginning a two-game trip by facing Concordia University-Texas next Thursday in Austin.