McMurry University's Lady War Hawks fought hard against Abilene Christian University in Moody Coliseum Monday, Dec. 11, but fell 91-55.
 

Junior guard/forward Emily Holland (Mansfield, Texas) quickly served notice that the Division 3 school, sporting a 7-1 season record, wasn't going to give in easily to the Division 1 school as she scored the game's first five points.
 

The Lady Wildcats answered the challenge, however, by scoring the game's next 13 points in about three minutes. Sophomore guard Kylie Flippin (Wichita Falls, Texas) stopped the ACU run with a layup and free throw after being fouled while in the act of shooting. The contest then went back and forth with sophomore guard Helana Chadwick (La Vernia, Texas) getting a layup and Flippin nailing a three-pointer before the first quarter ended.
 

ACU led 26-15 at the end of the stanza, and the opponent continued to add more cushion to the score by hitting several three-pointers in the second quarter. McMurry did its best to show both fan bases that the visitors weren't interested in a one-sided affair. In less than four minutes before halftime, Flippin made a three-pointer, Chadwick added a layup, Holland stole the ball, made a basket and a free throw after being fouled, and Flippin added another three-pointer.
 

McMurry was down 50-29 at the half.

The battle continued in the last two quarters with the opponent gradually taking over the game and outscoring the Lady War Hawks 41-26.
 

Flippin finished with 16 points, Holland added 14 and Chadwick contributed eight. Flippin connected on three of her seven three-point attempts. The Lady War Hawks were almost perfect at the free throw line as they converted 10 of 12 shots. Chadwick was 4 of 4, Holland was 3 of 3, senior guard/forward Kristin Salas (Pipe Creek, Texas) and Flippin were both 1 of 1, and freshman wing Gracie Garcia (The Woodlands, Texas) was 1 of 2. Sophomore forward/center Aryana Cleveland (San Antonio, Texas) led in rebounding with five, one on offense and four on defense. McMurry finished with eight steals, three by Garcia, two each by sophomore forward/center Tori Coleman (Fort Worth, Texas) and Holland, and one by sophomore forward Bel Martinez (San Antonio, Texas). Senior guard/forward Taya Bridges (Mesquite, Texas) blocked two shots, while junior post Katie Hale (Decatur, Texas) and Holland blocked one each.
 

Coach Drew Long's team returns to American Southwest Conference action Saturday with a 1 p.m. tipoff against University of Texas-Dallas.