LINCOLN, Neb. – McMurry University Men's Basketball challenged No. 8 Nebraska Wesleyan Saturday evening, but ultimately came up short against the Prairie Wolves, 108-86, at Snyder Arena.

Junior guard Khalil Butler led the War Hawks (0-3) with 14 points, all coming in the first half. He finished 6-of-12 from the field, and 2-of-6 from beyond the arc. Butler also led the team with seven rebounds.

The Prairie Wolves shot 60.6 percent from the field, and 53.3 percent from distance in the first period as they built a 59-38 lead. McMurry kept it close early, with dunk by forward Mike Williams Jr. forcing an early NWU timeout after bringing McM within 8-7.

However, the Prairie Wolves (3-0) came out of the break on an 8-0 run, as the War Hawks were unable to get closer than six points the rest of the way.

McMurry played NWU nearly even in the second half, with the Prairie Wolves holding just a 49-48 advantage in the second stanza. The War Hawks shot 50 percent in the second half and knocked down eight triples after shooting 44.4 percent in the first half.

In the final minutes, the McM reserves closed out the game on a 13-3 run, highlighted by a breakaway slam by freshman guard Rob Charles.

Williams finished with 11 points and five boards, while senior guard Zacc Carter had nine points. Both senior forward Krishawn Terry and freshman guard Cody LeBland tallied eight points, respectively.

McM held advantages in second chance points (19-8) and bench points (47-11). The War Hawks snagged 14 offensive rebounds on the night.

The War Hawks continue their road swing next weekend with visits to Texas Lutheran and Schreiner.