ABILENE, TX – The McMurry War Hawks men's basketball team won a sensational non-conference shootout against Howard Payne, claiming a dramatic 100-98 victory at Kimbrell Arena. The contest was a true offensive battle marked by 17 lead changes and nine ties, but the War Hawks' relentless pressure and exceptional production from key players secured the home win.

McMurry established an aggressive pace early, translating quick play into offense. The War Hawks used their speed to dominate the fast break, outpacing Howard Payne 19-11 in transition points in the first period. While McMurry's shooting efficiency was high (53.1% from the field in the first half), HPU kept the score tight by relying heavily on the free-throw line, where they sank 21-of-26 attempts in the first half alone. Despite brief control by the War Hawks, HPU took a narrow 53-48 lead into the break.

The second half turned into a frenetic, back-and-forth affair. The War Hawks quickly erased the deficit, going on an 8-0 run to regain the lead, pushing the momentum and showcasing their superior shooting touch. McMurry maintained high efficiency throughout the second half, hitting 53.6% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc.

The game remained tight until the very end, characterized by clutch free throws and tough interior scoring. In the final minute, Laflore knocked down a three-pointer to regain the lead, and Jordan Malveaux converted key free throws with seconds left on the clock. The War Hawks finished the game shooting an impressive 71.1% (27-of-38) from the charity stripe, a factor that ultimately decided the two-point margin of victory. McMurry relied heavily on fast-break points (29 total) and second-chance opportunities (15 points) to secure the win.

Top War Hawk Performers

• JaRayl Peoples: Led the team with 27 points on phenomenal 11-of-17 shooting, dominating the interior while adding eight rebounds and three assists.
• Jordan Malveaux: Was clutch in the second half, scoring 19 points and finishing the night 8-for-11 from the free-throw line, including the decisive points in the final seconds. He also chipped in 4 assists.
• Jalen Cherry: Anchored the effort with 15 points and six rebounds. He was highly efficient, shooting 6-of-8 from the field, and played a crucial role in maintaining control throughout the tight contest.
• Cedrick Dodd: Played a high-minute game, contributing 13 points and four rebounds, sinking a key three-pointer in the second half to help fuel the comeback.

Up Next

The McMurry men next travel to Schreiner to take on the Mountaineers in the Schreiner Event Center, November 25th at 5:30 p.m.