ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University Men's Basketball used a 19-0 run to start the second half Saturday at Mabee Complex to defeat crosstown rival Hardin-Simmons, 76-62, in the American Southwest Conference opener for both teams.

The War Hawks (3-5, 1-0 ASC) trailed 42-35 at the break, but came out of the locker room holding the Cowboys (4-4, 0-1 ASC) scoreless for the first 8:03 of the second half.

Senior guard Dedrick Berry Jr. scored the first five points of the half to bring McM within two, with the War Hawks taking the lead at the 16:00 mark on a four-point play by senior guard Zacc Carter. Carter capped the run with a pair of free throws, as he scored a team-high 19 points.

McMurry grew the lead to as many as 14 at 61-47 with 9:08 left on a jumper by junior Khalil Butler, who finished with 11 points.

However, HSU wouldn't go away easily, as the Cowboys responded with a quick 7-0 run of their own. After McM got the lead back to 10, the Cowboys pulled within 64-61 with 3:24 remaining. But the Cowboys scored just one point the remainder of the afternoon, as the McM defense clamped down.

Carter provided relief with a layup to pull back ahead 66-61, before senior forward Mike Williams Jr. sealed the game with six straight points, including a three-point play. Williams finished with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds. Both he and Carter shot 6-of-9 from the field.

The War Hawks trailed by as many as 16 in the first half, before outscoring the Cowboys 25-13 over the next eight minutes to pull within four in the final minute of the half.

McMurry shot 50.0 percent from the field in the first half, and finished the game at 48.2 percent. HSU shot 53.3 percent in the opening period, but McM held the Cowboys to just 12.9 percent in the second half and 33.3 percent overall.

Berry was McM's fourth double digit scorer with 11 points. Williams also added four blocks and four assists to his resume. Junior guard Colin Taylor led the War Hawks with six assists.

McM held a distinct 29-19 advantage in points off turnovers, forcing 20 Cowboy turnovers on the afternoon. The War Hawks also outscored the Cowboys 20-4 in fast break points, as well.

The War Hawks will next complete their nonconference schedule, traveling to Memphis, Tennessee, to take on Rhodes College and Berry College December 14-15.