McMurry University's Lady War Hawks won their fifth straight game with a 69-63 victory over Howard Payne University Saturday, Dec. 9 in Kimbrell Arena.

After being down 35-31 at halftime, coach Drew Long's team outscored the opponent 38-28 in the second half to remain unbeaten at home.
 

A balanced attack continues to be the theme as four players scored in double digits. Sophomore guard Helana Chadwick (La Vernia, Texas) had 20 points, followed by sophomore guard Kylie Flippin (Wichita Falls, Texas) with 15, junior guard/forward Emily Holland (Mansfield, Texas) with 12 and sophomore forward/center Aryana Cleveland (San Antonio, Texas) with 10.
 

Cleveland had a double-double as she finished with 11 rebounds, five on offense and six on defense, to go with her points. Chadwick had seven rebounds, three on offense and four on defense, and four steals. Also contributing to the thefts department were junior post Ashton Garner (Odessa, Texas), Holland and Cleveland with two each, and senior guard/forward Taya Bridges (Mesquite, Texas) and Flippin with one apiece. Holland blocked a shot. At the free-throw line, Chadwick was 7 of 8 and Holland was 4 of 5. Holland made two of her five three-point attempts and Chadwick made her only attempt.
 

McMurry had its biggest lead at nine points over midway in the fourth quarter. The lead changed hands 11 times and the score was tied eight times.
 

The Lady War Hawks are 3-0 and maintain at least a share of first place in the American Southwest Conference standings, which are at ascsports.org. They are 7-1 overall including being 5-0 in the friendly confines of Kimbrell Arena.
 

McMurry takes a break from conference action Monday when it plays at Division 1 Abilene Christian University. Tipoff is 6 p.m.
 

Coach Long came to McMurry from ACU. If recent history between the two schools is any indication, the Lady War Hawks may have a surprise for the Lady Wildcats. After falling to ACU by almost 60 points in 2021, McMurry lost by 30 last year. Prior to Long's arrival, ACU beat the Lady War Hawks by almost 70 points in 2019.

McMurry returns to Kimbrell Arena Dec. 16 and faces University of Texas-Dallas at 1 p.m. in a conference game.