ABILENE, TEXAS – Elijah Lomas stepped up on a big stage for McMurry University Thursday, Feb. 9.
 
In the freshman native of San Antonio, Texas, first appearance in the fabled hardwood series between the War Hawks and American Southwest Conference crosstown rival Hardin-Simmons, he wasn't fazed. Lomas was a torrid 12-of-16 from the field, topped by hitting at a white-hot 80 percent clip from outside the arc (four-for-five) en route to a 33-point evening inside HSU's Mabee Athletic Complex.
 
Lomas led four War Hawks in double figures against the Cowboys and their raucous home crowd. Junior guard Rob Charles (Houston, Texas) had a special night, too, with 19 points, six assists, and a steal. Senior guard Remy Minor (Chicago, Ill.) added 17 points, five assists, four rebounds, and a steal, and sophomore forward/center T.J. Hilliard (New Orleans, La.) wound up with 11 points, six rebounds, and a pair of blocked shots in the paint.
 
Despite a 19^th contest in which four-or-more Maroon, Black, and White players posted double figures and Lomas' extraordinary effort, Hardin-Simmons managed to claw back from a 13-point deficit in the final five minutes of regulation to send the game into overtime. The home side hit a blazing 87.5 percent clip in the extra session to seal a 116-104 victory.
 
McMurry (6-16, 5-10 ASC) gets another crack at HSU Saturday, Feb. 11. Game time at Kimbrell Arena is 3:30 p.m.