AUSTIN, Texas - McMurry Men's Basketball fell on the road to Concordia University, 108-84, on Thursday night.
The War Hawks move to 0-2 on the season following the matchup at The Deb and Don Christian Fieldhouse.
Concordia jumped out to an early advantage in the first half. Trailing 37-14 midway through the opening period, McMurry sparked a 12-2 run fueled by three-pointers from
Mikhali Roberts and
Koye Rondeno and fast-break baskets from
Marco Assifirix,
Keion Irvin, and
JaRayl Peoples to trim the deficit to 39-26.
McMurry shot 36.7 percent from the field and 68.4 percent from the free-throw line in the opening 20 minutes. The Tornados connected on 45.7 percent of their shots and six three-pointers to take a 63-37 lead at the half. Roberts paced the War Hawks before the break with all nine of his points.
The McMurry defense tightened up after intermission, holding Concordia Texas to 36.8 percent shooting from the field and 28.6 percent from three-point range as the War Hawks outscored the hosts 47-45 in the second half. McMurry capitalized at the charity stripe down the stretch, converting 20-of-28 free throws in the second period and finishing 33-of-47 (70.2 percent) for the night.
Bryce Bass and
James Mathews led three double-figure War Hawk scorers with 11 points apiece, going 16-of-20 from the free-throw line. Rondeno added 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting, while Roberts and Assifirix chipped in nine points each as McMurry's bench poured in 55 points.
Bass led the War Hawks on the glass with eight rebounds, while Peoples pulled down seven boards and added a team-high four assists and seven points. Roberts grabbed six rebounds, Mathews recorded a team-best three steals, and Irvin anchored the interior defense with three of McMurry's 13 blocked shots.
The War Hawks continue play on the road with their next contest at Austin College on Tuesday, November 17 at 6:00 p.m. in Sherman, Texas.
