McMurry University's War Hawks got a much-needed win Monday, Dec. 18 by knocking off University of the Ozarks 91-85 in Kimbrell Arena.
 

The victory was the first in American Southwest Conference play for coach Zach Pickelman's team.
 

Senior guard C.J. LeBlanc (Dallas, Texas) nailed 10 three-pointers enroute to 34 points. Senior forward/center Elias Garcia (Houston, Texas) finished with 17 points. Defensively, McMurry blocked 10 shots with seven by freshman forward Tristan Holden (San Antonio, Texas). Garcia led in rebounding with five, one on offense and four on defense.
 

The War Hawks won the first half, 45-35, but lost the second, 50-46. They had their biggest lead of 22 points with eight minutes left in the first half. At the free-throw line, Garcia and LeBlanc were both 4 of 5, and sophomore guard Coco Rose (Odessa, Texas) and junior forward T.J. Hilliard (New Orleans, Louisiana) were both 1 of 2. The team finished with 15 three-pointers. Players coming off the bench provided 51 points.

McMurry is 5-5 overall, 1-3 in conference and 5-2 at home.

The War Hawks play the next three games on the road, starting Wednesday in Kerrville against Schreiner University at 5:30 p.m. They return to Kimbrell Arena Jan. 11 for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff with Concordia University