ABILENE, Texas – Abilene's hottest rivalry returns on Saturday, as the McMurry University men's basketball team soars across town to take on Hardin-Simmons on December 5. Tip-off from HSU's Mabee Complex is set for 3 p.m.
Fans will be able to attend the game with masks required. Live stats and live video will also be available for the game. Saturday will be a non-conference contest and will not factor into the 2020-21 Dyess Trophy standings.
LIVE STATS l LIVE VIDEO
RECORDS
McM: 0-2, 0-0 ASC
HSU: 2-2, 0-0 ASC
NOTES
LAST TIME OUT – The War Hawks opened at home with non-conference contests against Sul Ross State and Mary Hardin-Baylor, falling in both. Against SRSU, McMurry led in the first half but struggled to shoot in the second during a 73-50 loss. The UMHB game was close until the end, but late foul trouble doomed the War Hawks in a 94-84 setback.
SCOUTING THE COWBOYS – Hardin-Simmons traded opponents with the War Hawks last weekend, splitting the games with an 83-80 loss to UMHB and a 74-73 win over Sul Ross. HSU owns a 2-2 record for the season, opening with an 81-70 win at Howard Payne and later falling to UNT Dallas, 82-79. Five players are averaging at least 11.5 points per game, led by Neal Chambliss at 12.7 PPG. Chase Cobb led the team with 19 points and five three-pointers in the SRSU win.
SERIES HISTORY VS. HSU – The Cowboys hold a 52-46 edge in the all-time series. The two sides split last season's series, with McMurry winning the first battle, 76-62, and HSU taking the rematch, 65-59. McMurry has won in its last two visits to the Mabee Complex.
SECOND HALF HEROES – The last time these two teams met inside the Mabee Complex was on December 7, 2019. HSU took a 42-35 lead into the half, but McMurry came out on a 19-0 run to steal the momentum and earn an impressive 76-62 win. McMurry shot 46.4 percent in that second half, while holding HSU to 12.9 percent. Points off turnovers was also crucial in that win, as McMurry outscored the Cowboys 29-19 off turnovers and 20-4 on fast break opportunities.
BUTLER'S QUARTER PIECE – Senior Khalil Butler matched a career high with 25 points against UMHB last Saturday, wielding a hot hand behind the arc with five treys on nine attempts. Butler also scored 25 points against Schreiner on Dec. 21, 2018, sinking 10-14 from the field and 5-6 behind the arc in 33 minutes of action.
REV THE REMY – Junior guard Remy Minor had major production in his debut weekend, scoring 22 points with six rebounds against UMHB last Saturday. The point guard leads the team with 34.0 minutes per game and ranks second to Butler with 16.5 PPG. His 10 defensive rebounds are also tied for the team lead.
SURELY SHERMAN – Returning junior guard Jordan Sherman has a strong season opener, recording his first career double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Both totals were also career highs. Sherman followed that performance with 10 points against UMHB and will look to maintain his scoring production as a regular in the starting lineup.
TRIPLE THREATS – Three War Hawks have shown ability to shoot behind the arc in the first two games, led by Butler shooting a combined 7-15 from deep. Freshman Matt Pena and senior transfer Landen Stephens each have three triples to their credit, with Pena shooting 3-4 behind the arc against UMHB and Stephens scoring two of his three against SRSU.
COACHING TIES – Sixth year McMurry head coach Zach Pickelman is no stranger to HSU as one of seven players in its history to garner All-American status. Pickelman will lead the War Hawks into battle against his alma mater, who is led by his former teammate Matt Brackett.
CERNY RETURNS – Pickelman added a familiar face to his coaching staff this year, as Chris Cerny joined as a student assistant coach. Cerny won a pair of ASC titles as a player at McMurry from 2010-12 and finished his career with two more seasons in 2014-16, averaging 8.8 PPG as a senior. Cerny and sixth year assistant Rob Yeatts completes this year's coaching staff, with Yeatts playing alongside Pickelman at HSU in the late 2000s.
ALL-TIME RECORD – McMurry has played 2,245 games as a program, dating back to its first year as a college in 1923. The War Hawks hold a 1148-1097 all-time record for a 51.1 win percentage.
