ABILENE, Texas. – For the first time in nearly two weeks, McMurry Women's Basketball will return to action on Friday as they welcome Louisiana College to Kimbrell Arena at 3 p.m.
Tomorrow's game will be the first of two meetings with the War Hawks (6-2, 0-1) and Wildcats (2-5, 0-0), both of which will be in Abilene. Although Louisiana College is an American Southwest Conference foe, Friday's showdown will serve as a nonconference game. The second matchup on Feb. 8 will count toward each team's ASC record.
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CATCHING A BREAK – The 13-day hiatus from competition marks McMurry's longest break from action this season. Following tomorrow's tilt, the War Hawks will enjoy an 11-day break before playing an exhibition at Tarleton State.
LAST TIME OUT – McMurry opened conference play with a crosstown battle at Hardin-Simmons, but ultimately came out on the wrong end of a 71-62 final at the Mabee Complex. Prior to that game, the War Hawks were riding a four-game win streak.
GETTING DEFENSIVE – McMurry ranks second in the ASC in scoring defense, allowing just 58.4 points per contest. Their season low came on Nov. 8 against Schreiner, allowing just 34 points in a 72-34 win. McMurry is also allowing the lowest opponent shooting percentages in the league at 34.7 percent from the field and 23.0 percent behind the arc.
'BOUND TO BOARD – The War Hawks have been getting it done in the rebounding department, leading the league with 48.2 rebounds per game and a positive 12.5 rebound margin. Nationally, the 48.2 RPG total ranks 17th in all of NCAA D3, while the rebound margin ranks 12th. Individually, Skyler Reyna ranks atop the conference and 18th nationally with her 12.1 rebounds per contest.
REYNA RECORD WATCH – A four-year standout for McMurry, senior Skyler Reyna ranks second on the all-time career rebound list at 808. Furthermore, Reyna has 1,214 career points to rank sixth on the all-time list and needs 30 to tie for fifth. Tarra Richardson (2004-08) holds both records with 1,015 rebounds and 2,164 points.
TWO-TIME PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Skyler Reyna racked up three straight double doubles against Nebraska Wesleyan, TLU and Schreiner, earning American Southwest Conference Player of the Week honors two weeks in a row. In that span, Reyna averaged 25.3 points and 17.6 rebounds per contest.
SONIC YOUTH – McMurry has 14 freshmen and one junior transfer on the 2019-20 roster, joining the returning senior duo of Sarah Doherty and Skyler Reyna and returning sophomore Brittany Rodgers. The average age of the team is 19.05 years old.
SCOUTING LOUISIANA COLLEGE – The Wildcats are led by second year head coach Mike LeBato and look to improve on an 11-14 finish last season. In their last regular season game against Huntingdon College, LC came out on top in a thrilling 73-72 win. ZyUnn Cormier dropped 31 points in 37 minutes of actionin that win, while averaging 11.3 points per game.
SERIES HISTORY – McMurry leads the all-time series with a 13-6 record. The War Hawks opened the series in the 2000-01 season and won nine straight games before taking their first loss to LC in the 2009-10 season. Since then, the Wildcats have emerged to take four of the last six games. McMurry's last two wins versus LC came on the road. The Wildcats have won the last two in Abilene, as McMurry seeks its first home win over LC since Jan. 8, 2011.
