ABILENE, Texas – The Dyess Trophy series returns to Kimbrell Arena on Thursday evening, as McMurry Women's Basketball will host cross-town rival Hardin-Simmons at 5:30 p.m.
Tomorrow's contest will be the second game of a home-and-home between the Abilene foes, with HSU winning the last meeting earlier this season in the Mabee Complex, 71-62.
Live stats and live video will be available with David Bacon providing audio play-by-play.
LIVE STATS l LIVE VIDEO
RECORDS
McM: 9-6 overall, 2-5 American Southwest Conference
HSU: 12-4 overall, 6-1 American Southwest Conference
NOTES
LAST TIME OUT – The War Hawks struggled offensively on the road, falling 72-49 at No. 17 Mary Hardin-Baylor this past Saturday. Cassidy Melton nearly matched a career high with 13 points to lead the team. HSU defeated Concordia in their last outing, 62-55.
SCOUTING HARDIN-SIMMONS – The Cowgirls own a 12-4 record and are undefeated at home with nine wins. HSU owns the best scoring margin in the conference at +14.6, scoring 72.6 points per game and allowing just 58.0. Taylor Gaffney is the team's leading scorer at 15.1 PPG, while Parris Parmer and Kaitlyn Ellis are just over 10.0 PPG.
SERIES HISTORY VS. HSU – HSU holds the all-time series advantage, 59-25. McMurry's last win over Hardin-Simmons came on January 25, 2018 by a final of 70-60. Last season inside Kimbrell Arena, HSU escaped with a thrilling 69-66 win despite 16 points and 16 rebounds from Skyler Reyna.
ROES TO GLORY – With nine wins already and 10 games in hand, McMurry is on pace for its best season under fifth-year head coach Brittany Densman-Roes. Her best season at the helm came in 2017-18, as the team finished with 13 wins and Densman-Roes was named ASC Coach of the Year.
OUTSIDE GAME – McMurry has proven to be an outside team this season, shooting 29.7 percent behind the arc to rank fourth in the ASC. Defensively, the War Hawks are holding opponents to a league-low 22.5 three-point percentage, which ranks fifth-best in the country.
WINNING THE BOARDS – The War Hawks have been powered by strong rebounding this season, ranking atop the ASC and 20th in the nation with 46.3 rebounds per game. Senior Skyler Reyna leads the ASC with 10.7 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 871. She also ranks fifth all-time with 1,305 career points. Reyna needs 56 points to move into fourth place in career scoring. Future McMurry Hall of Honor member Tarra Richardson Kersh (2004-08) holds both records with 1,015 rebounds and 2,164 points.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE VISION – Reyna is the only player in the ASC averaging a double-double with 16.3 points and 10.7 rebounds per contest. Her scoring ranks seventh in the conference, while her rebounds lead the league. Furthermore, Reyna is the only ASC player above 10.0 RPG.
YOUTH MOVEMENT – McMurry has 14 freshmen and one junior transfer on the 2019-20 roster, joining the returning senior duo of Sarah Doherty and Skyler Reyna. The average age of the team is 19.25 years old.
