BELTON, TEXAS – McMurry University's penchant for close-knit finals in American Southwest Conference play continued Saturday, Jan. 14.
 
The War Hawks, looking to end a tour of the eastern portion of the Lone Star State with a split, took perennial league power Mary-Hardin-Baylor to the last seconds inside the Crusaders' Mayborn Campus Center. Head coach Zach Pickelman's crew led 75-72 as the final minute of regulation developed before the home side tallied the final five points, including the eventual game-winning jump shot with three seconds left, to claim a 77-75 white knuckler.
 
Even with that five-point run to close the outing, it was nearly insufficient. Junior guard C.J. LeBlanc (Dallas, Texas) got a running look at a three-pointer to reverse the Maroon, Black, and White's fortunes as the clock expired. The ball glanced off the left side of the backboard and rim.
 
LeBlanc's 18 points topped four McMurry players in double digits. Sophomore guard Matt Pena (El Paso, Texas) tallied 17; senior guard Remy Minor (Chicago, Ill.) wound up with 13; and sophomore forward/center T.J. Hilliard (New Orleans, La.) was just two boards short of a double-double (10 points, eight rebounds).
 
The War Hawks, dipping to 4-11 overall and 3-5 in loop play, resume a current road stretch with a trip to LeTourneau University Thursday, Jan. 19. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at LETU's Solheim Arena.
 
NOTES: The two-point difference marked the eighth successive appearance in which McMurry has been in an 11-points-or-less finish … LeBlanc continues to close in on four figures in career scoring. He moved to 956 following Saturday's contest.