BELTON, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men’s basketball team had chances to tie the game in the final seconds, but the Cru could not convert in a 75-72 loss to McMurry University Saturday afternoon in Belton. The loss drops UMHB to 13-4 overall and 4-4 in American Southwest Conference play on the season. The War Hawks move to 5-12 overall and 2-6 in the ASC with the victory.
McMurry led 69-65 with 2:43 left in the game before UMHB closed to 69-68 with three free-throws. Zacc Carter wrapped four free throws around a Brian Long jumper as the War Hawks opened up a 73-70 advantage with 31 seconds to go. The two teams traded free throws to set up the dramatic ending. Carter grabbed the rebound off a UMHB miss and was fouled. He was called for a flagrant foul after throwing an elbow on the rebound. Carter hit one of his two foul shots to make it 75-71. Byrale Carter hit one of two free throws at the other end to cut it to 75-72. UMHB had two good looks at a game-tying three-pointer, but was off the mark on both shots and LaKendric Hyson could not get another attempt off in time after grabbing the Cru’s third straight offensive rebound. There were three ties and four lead changes in the second half. McMurry led 32-27 at halftime after UMHB shot just 32 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes.
Long led UMHB with 22 points on 7-11 shooting before fouling out with 31.6 seconds remaining. Sam Moore scored 17 points and Demarius Cress added 14 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. The Cru shot just 32 percent from the field for the game and went 6-24 from three-point range. UMHB was 30-38 from the free-throw line.
Khalil Butler came off the bench to lead McMurry with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Butler hit 4-8 from beyond the arc. Carter added 14 points and Mike Williams, Jr. and Trevin Ramirez scored 12 points apiece. The War Hawks shot 43 percent from the field as a team and hit 11-33 from three-point range.
The Cru returns to action with a 3 pm start at Concordia Texas next Saturday in Austin. That contest opens a five-game road trip for UMHB basketball.
