ABILENE, TX – The McMurry War Hawks men's basketball team engaged in a high-octane offensive battle against Centenary College on Friday evening at Kimbrell Arena, ultimately falling 94-89 in a contest that featured impressive shooting and relentless effort from both squads. The loss moves their record to 5-7 overall and 0-3 in SCAC play.
The War Hawks came out firing, establishing an early rhythm that allowed them to build a significant lead in the opening stages. Fueled by sharp shooting from beyond the arc and dominance on the offensive glass, McMurry pushed its advantage to as many as 13 points in the first period. However, Centenary responded with a barrage of three-pointers of their own, chipping away at the deficit and turning the game into a back-and-forth affair that saw four lead changes and four ties.
Despite the loss, McMurry controlled the paint and the boards, winning the rebounding battle by a massive 47-27 margin. This hustle led to 16 second-chance points, keeping the War Hawks within striking distance until the final buzzer. The team connected on 14 three-pointers (45.2%) in the game, matching the visitors' offensive intensity, but couldn't quite overcome Centenary's efficient shooting down the stretch.
Top War Hawk Performers
- Jalen Cherry: Delivered a monstrous double-double performance, scoring 20 points and pulling down a career-high 22 rebounds, including eight on the offensive end. He also added three three-pointers in a dominant all-around showing.
- Zack Rygg: Matched the team high in scoring with 20 points, shooting a highly efficient 7-of-11 from the field and connecting on 4-of-6 from three-point range.
- Amari Leflore: Provided a spark from the perimeter, pouring in 17 points on the strength of four made three-pointers while dishing out a team-high five assists.
- Koye Rondeno: Contributed 10 points in a balanced effort, shooting 3-of-9 from the field and adding critical minutes to the rotation.
Up Next
The War Hawks will look to bounce back when they return to Kimbrell Arena on Sunday, January 11, at 12:00 p.m. to take on LeTourneau University.
