ABILENE, Texas - The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men's basketball team earned an 84-83 road win over McMurry University Saturday afternoon in Abilene. The Cru improved to 8-7 on the season and 4-4 in American Southwest Conference action while the War Hawks fell to 8-7 overall and 2-5 in ASC play.
UMHB opened the contest with seven unanswered points, led by
LD Butler with five points. The Cru brought their lead to nine before the War Hawks used a 7-2 to cut the gap to four at the 13:30 mark. Action remained even until McMurry's CJ LeBlanc scored seven unanswered points to go up by one at the 6:44 mark. The final five minutes of the half saw four more lead changes before going into the half with the War Hawks ahead 36-35.
Butler and
Josiah Johnson led the Cru through the first half with seven points each.
Ryan Pondant led the Cru with eight rebounds, while Johnson and Zach Engels added two steals each.
Eli Beard started the second half with a layup to take the lead, but the War Hawks responded with a seven-point run to go ahead by six. A duo of three-pointers from Johnson and
Josh Goings cut the gap to four with 8:23 remaining. The Cru brought the game within one at the 6:47 mark after four consecutive free throws.
UMHB kept the gap within four points before going on a six-point run to take the lead 79-78 with less than four minutes remaining. The War Hawks reclaimed the lead on the next possession and went back ahead by four two plays later. With a minute on the clock, Pondant recorded a layup to cut the gap 83-81.
Payton Brooks hit a final three-pointer with 0:05 remaining to seal the 84-83 win for UMHB.
Johnson led the Cru with 21 points, while Brooks totaled 13. Pondant recorded a double-double on the day with 13 rebounds and 11 points. The Cru offense was anchored by Johnson and
Eli Beard with five assists each. UMHB forced 12 turnovers, including nine steals, led by Johnson with four.
UMHB returns to action on Saturday, January 20
th in a 3:00 p.m. contest against Concordia University Texas in Belton.
