ABILENE, TX - The McMurry War Hawks men's basketball team concluded the season with an explosive offensive performance, dominating conference foe Texas Lutheran 101-85 at Kimbrell Arena. Displaying exceptional efficiency and relentless energy on the glass, the War Hawks controlled the tempo to secure the victory and finalize their season record at 10-15 overall and 5-11 in SCAC play.
From the opening tip, McMurry established a rhythm that Texas Lutheran struggled to match, leading for nearly 37 minutes of the contest. The War Hawks' offense was firing on all cylinders, shooting a blistering 55.9% from the field and connecting on 44% of their attempts from beyond the arc. This shooting prowess was complemented by a commanding presence in the paint, where McMurry outscored the visitors 40-36 and maintained a significant advantage on the boards, outrebounding Texas Lutheran 39-22.
The War Hawks were equally impressive at the charity stripe, converting 24 of 28 free throws for an 85.7% clip, which helped stifle any comeback attempts by the Bulldogs. Defensively, McMurry limited Texas Lutheran to just 31% shooting from three-point range and capitalized on opportunities to push the pace. The team's cohesive play was evident in their ball movement and ability to find the open man, resulting in a balanced attack that saw the lead swell to 21 points.
Top Performers
Jalen Cherry: Delivered a massive double-double in his final game as a War Hawk, dominating the interior with a game-high 30 points and pulling down 20 rebounds. He was highly efficient, shooting 12-of-19 from the field while adding three assists and a block to his stat line.
Zack Rygg: Provided a lethal scoring punch, pouring in 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting. He was perfect from the free-throw line, going 5-for-5, and contributed on the defensive end with two steals.
Jordan Malveaux: Orchestrated the offense effectively, tallying 14 points while dishing out a team-high four assists. He shot a solid 5-of-8 from the floor, including 2-of-3 from deep, and was perfect from the line.
Koye Rondeno: Contributed 11 points and displayed nerves of steel at the free-throw line, finishing a perfect 8-for-8. He also chipped in with three rebounds and an assist to help seal the win.
