Jan. 31, 2005

Final Stats

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons overcame a five-point deficit in the final eight seconds of regulation to force overtime, but fell 74-71 to crosstown rival McMurry in an American Southwest Conference tilt in front of 2200 fans at Kimbrell Arena on Monday.

Tanner Kudrna hit a 3-pointer with 4.6 seconds left to cut the deficit to 64-62. On the ensuing possession Matt Autry, a Hardin-Simmons transfer, threw the ball to the hands of Matt Brackett, who found James Peters for a lay-up to send the game to overtime as time expired.

The Cowboys had battled back from an 11-point second half deficit to force the extra period. In overtime, the Cowboys went ahead 70-69 on a pair of free throws by Zach Pickelman with :49 left in overtime for the first time in the entire game. Autry then missed a shot and the Cowboys rebounded and the Indians fouled Garret Pool. He hit one of two free throws to make it 71-69 with 24 seconds remaining.

The Indians J.R. Williams then raced down the court hit a shot inside the lane and was fouled. His free throw made it 72-71 with :18 remaining. HSU had a chance to score but turned the ball over two times in the final six seconds. HSU fouled Elijah Bryant after a Pickelman turnover and after he missed the second free throw Calvin Nite just overshot Pickelman who was streaking towards the goal.

Nite led the Cowboy comeback with 18 points in the second half before overtime. He finished with a career-best 30 points.

McMurry jumped out of the gate with a 10-2 lead and held its advantage around eight to 11 points for most of the game. A 6-0 HSU spurt that ended at the 6:52 mark made the game 54-52.

J.R. Williams led the Indians with 22 points and the Cowboys held Travis Tennison in check with 13 points and four rebounds.