ALPINE, Texas – McMurry University Men's Basketball held off a second half rally by Sul Ross State to defeat the Lobos, 73-69, and clinched a berth in the American Southwest Conference Tournament.

The War Hawks (10-14, 7-8) led by as many as 14 in the first half, and led by a dozen early in the second, before the Lobos (10-13, 5-9 ASC) fought back to tie the game at 59 with just under six minutes remaining.

Tied at 62 with just two minutes left, junior forward Mike Williams Jr. hit a jumper to give the War Hawks a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Williams scored four of six points as the War Hawks took a 68-62 lead with 1:14 remaining.

The Lobos made one final push, but guards Zacc Carter and Colin Taylor each hit two free throws in the final 15 seconds to seal the win.

McMurry led by four at the halfway mark of the first half, but then proceeded to go on a 13-3 run, which included threes by guards Khalil Butler and Jordan Sherman.

Williams scored 15 of his game-high 20 points in the second half, and added a team-high 8 rebounds. He shot 7-of-8 from the floor, and 6-of-7 from the line. Butler scored 13 points, all in the first half. Carter rounded out the double-figure scoring with 10 points.

The War Hawks were able to manage getting outscored in fast break and second chance points by countering with a 31-19 advantage in bench points. They shot 42.4 percent overall to the Lobos' 33.9 percent.

The defense held the Lobos to just 13.0 percent from beyond the arc.

McMurry will conclude the regular season February 16 by hosting the second round of the Crosstown Showdown against Hardin-Simmons.