LONGVIEW – McMurry got its first win of the season, using its best defensive outing of the season for an 82-77 win at LeTourneau on Monday.
After 13 lead changes, the War Hawks took the lead for good with 3:38 to go, coming back from an eight-point second-half deficit.
The Yellow Jackets led 40-32 with 16:38 to go in the game. McMurry scored 11 consecutive points.
Jalen Cherry had four points and
Kino Thompson added a three-pointer in that spree for a 41-40 lead with 13:17 to go.
Josh Alcocer got a put-back with 3:38 left for a 67-66 lead and added a three-pointer for 70-66 lead. Thompson hit a jumper for a 72-66 lead.
"We made game winning plays on both sides of the ball down the stretch," said McMurry head coach
Zach Pickelman. "Finally broke through. We always learn after every game, it was nice to learn after a win."
Thompson led the War Hawks with 18 points on seven of nine shooting, followed by
Matt Pena with 15.
TJ Hilliard and Cherry had matching double-doubles with 13 points and 11 rebounds each. Hilliard added six assists and two steals.
The War Hawks play at Hardin-Simmons at 6 p.m. on Monday.
