Box Score ABILENE, TEXAS – McMurry University's women's basketball program continues to trust the process.

The 2022-23 War Hawks saw the fruits of what second-year head coach Drew Long and his staff are working with them on big picture-wise Friday, Nov. 11.

McMurry rebounded from a five-point deficit in the final 3:20 of regulation and worked past a determined Schreiner University squad for an 85-82 overtime win to begin their season in front of a raucous home crowd at Kimbrell Arena. It was the program's first game one victory since 2019-20.

"We talked early on that basketball is a game of runs," Long said of the back-and-forth nature of the clash. "We did a good job keeping our composure and taking their punches. We had some newcomers play big minutes and make big plays, too. It all comes down to sticking to the simple things that help the most."

Freshman guard Kylie Flippin (Wichita Falls, Texas), one of the first-years noted by Long, got the game-decided 5-0 run over the last 2:34 of overtime, going with a three-pointer and a made free throw that helped guide McMurry to an 85-82 victory over their Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference guests.

Sophomore forward Emily Holland (Mansfield, Texas), less than a week removed from her duties on the soccer pitch, stepped right into hoops mode with a double-double of 28 points and ten rebounds to top both categories. Another forward, senior Destiny Mathews (Palestine, Texas), also was in the 20-points-plus club with 24 to go with five rebounds and three assists. Freshman Helana Chadwick (La Vernia, Texas) was the final double-figure member with 16 points and five boards.

"Tonight is huge," Long continued. "We were in many close games a year ago that we couldn't quite pull out. Being able to win like this validates that we can do so."

McMurry resumes a season-opening four-game home stand Saturday, Nov. 12. It's another American Southwest Conference-SCAC match-up when Texas Lutheran University visits for a 1 p.m. tip-off.