McM women's hoops hold on late in OT; McM men can't overcome slow start at Concordia

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McMurry women grab first conference road win

Sarah Doherty went 3-for-3 from the free-throw line in the final 14 seconds of overtime to help the McMurry women’s basketball team earn its first American Southwest Conference road victory, a 70-69 decision over Concordia on Thursday in Austin.

In what turned out to be a back-and-forth affair, McMurry (4-11 overall, 2-5 ASC) jumped out to a 16-12 lead in the opening 10 minutes thanks to some hot shooting as the War Hawks went 7-15 from the field while holding Concordia to just three baskets.

However, the second quarter belonged to Concordia as the War Hawks couldn’t continue their hot start. McMurry made just five of its 18 shots from the floor and went 0-8 beyond the 3-point arc in the quarter. Meanwhile, Concordia began to chip away at McMurry’s small lead, making four of five free throws.

By halftime, Concordia held a 29-26 advantage.

In the third quarter, both team’s offense improved as Concordia extended its lead to five after making four 3-pointers. McMurry scored 18 points in the frame but made just one of their three 3-point attempts.

In the fourth quarter, the War Hawks rallied to take a 62-60 lead on two free throws by Skyler Reyna with 37 seconds to go. However, Concordia’s Allie Garza made a layup with 30 seconds left to send the game to overtime.

In the extra period, Garza gave Concordia a three-point advantage but it would never lead the rest of the night as McMurry took the lead when Reyna scored on back-to-back possessions.

From there, the War Hawks held on in the final three minutes to earn a much-needed win.

The win snaps a two-game losing streak for McMurry.

Skyler Reyna

Reyna led the War Hawks, tallying a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Doherty also had 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Freshman forward Sarah Johnson rounded out the War Hawks double-figure scorers with 10 points and five rebounds.

The War Hawks play Mary Hardin-Baylor at 1 p.m. Saturday in a conference game in Belton.

McMurry men's scoring struggles continue

The McMurry men's basketball team couldn't shake its offensive struggles Thursday night against Concordia as the War Hawks fell 97-62 in Austin.

Slow starts have been the Achilles' heel for the War Hawks this season and that trend continued against Concordia as McMurry fell behind 18-2 in the opening five minutes.

Turnovers were a killer for McMurry as the War Hawks had 21 in the first 20 minutes while the Tornados shot 50 percent to take a 50-23 advantage.

 In the second half, the War Hawks couldn’t make a comeback effort as McMurry ultimately fell by 35.

Trevin Ramirez led the War Hawks with 16 points, followed by 14 from Khalil Butler as both players came off the bench. Dedrick Berry Jr. made the most of his first start this season, scoring 12 points and tallying three assists.

Concordia used a balanced attack as 14 different players scored in the game led by Joe Neal who had a game-high 18 points.

The loss marks three weeks since the War Hawks won their last game as the team is on a seven-game losing streak.

The War Hawks play Mary Hardin-Baylor at 3 p.m.Saturday in a conference game in Belton.