BELTON, Texas – McMurry Women's Basketball faced its toughest test to date against nationally-ranked Mary Hardin-Baylor on Saturday, falling to the Cru by a final of 72-49 in Belton, Texas.

No. 17 UMHB (13-3, 6-1 American Southwest Conference) have now won four straight games, while the visiting War Hawks (9-6, 2-5) have now dropped its last two games in road challenges.

UMHB held a slim 14-9 advantage in a slow offensive start, but flexed its muscle in the second quarter to take a 38-19 lead at the half. McMurry would never recover, but nearly kept pace with the Cru in the second half.

Freshman Cassidy Melton was the team's leading scorer with 13 points, shooting 5-13 from the field.

Fellow freshman Jade Smith earned her new career high with six points, finishing 3-4 on field goals from the post. Senior Skyler Reyna managed six rebounds and six points against the difficult UMHB defense.

The War Hawks will look to quickly move on with an important ASC contest looming next week, as McMurry hosts crosstown rival Hardin-Simmons on Thursday, Jan. 23 inside Kimbrell Arena.