ABILENE, Texas – Bingo!
Senior guard Dedrick Berry Jr. buried a game-winning triple from the right corner with 20 seconds to go in overtime as McMurry University Men's Baskeball defeated Mary Hardin-Baylor 111-109 Thursday night in Kimbrell Arena.
Berry sank one of two free throws with four seconds left, and a heave at the buzzer by the Crusaders came up short.
McMurry found itself down 107-102 with 1:31 left in the extra frame, five consecutive points by junior guard Khalil Butler knotted things up to set up Berry's triple. Butler scored eight points in a row for McM in the overtime period with an earlier triple making it 103-102.
The War Hawks (7-11, 4-5 ASC) had a five-point lead with 1:26 remaining in regulation, but a pair of Crusader (12-6, 4-5 ASC) layups cut the margin to one.
Berry then made both free throws on the ensuing possession for a 97-94 lead. UMHB came down and split its free throw attempts, and gathered the offensive rebound on the second attempt. The Cru then converted a three pointer from the right wing for a 98-97 advantage.
McM attacked the basket in the final seconds, with senior forward Mike Williams Jr. securing his own miss and getting fouled with 1.1 seconds left. After missing the first, he calmly knocked down the second, and a half court miss by UMHB sent the game to overtime.
Berry scored a career high 32 points, besting his effort of 26 points against LeTourneau on his birthday. He shot 7-for-15 from the field, including 5-for-9 from beyond the arc. He made a living at the charity stripe, shooting 13-for-16. Berry also grabbed seven boards and dished out six assists. He scored 27 of his points in the second half and overtime.
McMurry broke a 20-20 tie in the first half with a 12-0 run, marking the largest lead of the game for either team. The War Hawks maintained their lead throughout the half, and led 47-42 at the break.
The War Hawks broke out of their shooting slump in the first half, shooting 52.9 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from distance.
UMHB was able to regain the lead at 61-55 using an 8-0 run, but back-to-back threes by Butler and Berry evened things up again. A Williams layup made it 67-65 in favor of McMurry, and the War Hawks would only relinquish the lead for a short time in overtime.
Williams added 21 points and seven boards as six War Hawks scored in double figures. Both senior guard Zacc Carter and freshman guard Cody LeBlanc scored 12 points, while senior forward Krishawn Terry tallied 10 points and a team-high eight boards. Butler scored 16 points with six rebounds.
For the game, McM shot 46.3 percent from the floor and 38.9 percent from three-point land. They were 23-for-32 at the free throw line.
Things got chippy between the teams in the second half, as four technical fouls were assessed, with three against the Cru.
McMurry will look to keep the offense rolling Saturday against Concordia Texas, when the teams face off at Kimbrell Arena at 3 p.m.
