Dec. 8, 2007

Final Stats

ABILENE, Texas - Anytime Hardin-Simmons and McMurry's men play a game you can count on at least one big run by McMurry, it came and the Cowboys were able to overcome it and HSU rallied for a 76-71 American Southwest Conference win over McMurry on Saturday night at Kimbrell Arena.

McMurry led at halftime 37-29 when the Cowboys had allowed 11 offensive rebounds and turned the ball over 14 times, six coming on offensive fouls. The Cowboys shot 56 percent in the first half, but were only able to get off 18 shots.

HSU made the adjustments in the second half and turned the ball over only two times and kept McMurry off the offensive boards.

McMurry pushed its lead to a game-high 13 at 48-35 with 16:55 to go in the game. HSU then responded with its big run to counter McMurry. HSU outscored McMurry 17-6 and cut the deficit to 54-52 on a Mardochee Jean bucket at the 11:17 mark of the game. Marcus Smith and Charlie Pannell started the run with back-to-back 3-pointers.

In the final 11 minutes of the game it went back and forth and HSU took its first lead of the second half on a Smith 3-pointer with 7:17 to play in the game. Former Cowboy Chris Gammage hit four straight free throws for McMurry to give them a 66-64 lead and Pannell hit another 3-pointer to give the Cowboys the lead back at the 5:01 mark at 67-66.

The teams traded baskets and HSU took the lead for good when Jean scored at the 2:58 mark to make it 71-70. It remained that way until Smith penetrated the lane for the Cowboys and found Steven Luckey in the corner for a 3-pointer to make it 74-70 with 1:17 to play.

Rob Yeatts made the big defensive play for the Cowboys as he hounded Alex Robles and Robles pushed off inside of :30 seconds to give the Cowboys the ball with a 74-71 lead. Luckey hit a pair of free throws and HSU won 78-71.

The loss was the third straight for McMurry at home. It is the first time in their NCAA history they have lost three straight games at home and it is also the first time they have lost three games to start league play.

Pannell led four Cowboys in double figures with 17 points. Smith had 16, Jean 15 and Luckey 13. Jean also pulled down a season-best 15 rebounds. Alex Robles led McMurry with 15, but only two came in the second half. Emile Brown had 14 and Gammage had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

HSU is now 3-3 on the year and 2-1 in league play. McMurry is 3-3 overall and 0-3 in ASC action.HSU plays at Louisiana College on Saturday.