NEWBERG/BEAVERTON, ORE. – McMurry University posted eight of the final 11 points, spotlighting an 85-84 victory over Northwest Conference foe George Fox University Tuesday, Dec. 20.
 
Head coach Zach Pickelman's team, taking a two-game tour against NWC schools while visiting the Pacific Northwest, trailed the host Bruins 81-77 with 3:59 left. Enter sophomore forward/center T.J. Hilliard (New Orleans, La.). He was responsible for six of the War Hawks last eight scoreboard digits, including the eventual game-winning putback with one second left. Hilliard's heroics were part of a piece de resistance of 22 points and 11 rebounds, the seventh of his collegiate career, that included three assists and one steal.
 
Junior center Elias Garcia (Houston, Texas) led the way individually. He forged a 23-point, 13-rebound, five-blocked shot evening. Garcia was a perfect 10-for-10 from the field. Junior guard C.J. LeBlanc (Dallas, Texas) was just two boards short of a third Maroon, Black, and White double-double (15 points, eight rebounds). Freshman guard/forward Elijah Lamos (San Antonio, Texas) resumed an impressive recent run of bench support for Pickleman's side, contributing his third successive double-figure outing (14 points).
 
The War Hawks did their level best to make it a perfect pre-Christmas road swing the following night. They scored 102 points for the second time in their last five appearances. Garcia answered his massive effort the night prior with 12 points, eight rebounds, and three blocked shots against Pacific College. LeBlanc stepped into 26 points, hitting four treys and going six-for-six at the charity stripe. Lomas, with a fourth straight double-digit scoring contest (14 points), junior guard Rob Charles (Houston, Texas) (14 points), senior guard Remy Minor (Chicago, Ill.), and Hilliard (12 points) joined in on the triple-figure finish.
 
Pacific needed every bit of a 60-point first half to weather the visiting storm. Their 111-102 decision concluded the War Hawks' non-conference and pre-Christmas schedule.
 
McMurry (4-9), winners of four of their last seven, break from competition until Thursday, Jan. 12. They travel to Concordia University in Austin for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off that night.