BELTON, Texas – McMurry University Women's Basketball had a strong first quarter start against Mary Hardin-Baylor on Thursday night, but cold shooting by the War Hawks allowed the Lady Cru to pull away with a 72-28 victory in Belton.

Both teams started slow without a score on the first three possessions each way, but McMurry (0-9, 0-5) lit the scoreboard first with a three-point basket from Valery Alvarado. The first quarter would go back and forth, as UMHB (8-3, 4-2) held a 10-9 lead.

In the second quarter, the Lady Cru began to find its groove and used a 13-0 run to widen the gap. The War Hawks finally broke through after seven scoreless minutes, but it would be too late as UMHB pulled away in the latter half.

Destiny Mathews led the team with seven points and four rebounds.

Freshman Vanessa Wharton saw increased playing time in tonight's game, totaling 12 minutes and scoring five points on a triple and a two-pointer – her first career game with multiple baskets.

The War Hawks seek their first win on Saturday as they travel to Austin to face another American Southwest Conference foe in Concordia Texas. The opening tip from Concordia Fieldhouse is set for 1 p.m.