Dec. 16, 2003

ABILENE, Texas (McMurry) - It's over!

Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team pulled off an early season upset, by defeating McMurry 87-85 in the American Southwest Conference West Division opener for both teams, Tuesday night in Kimbrell Arena. The win was the first in 12 tries for the Cowboys dating back to the 1997-98 season.

The Cowboys trailed by as many as 10 points in the first half, but a 9-0 run in a 1:24 span towards the end of the first half to tie the game. A late basket gave the Indians a 36-34 lead at the break.

HSU's young team took the lead for good with 18:10 to go in the game on a 3-pointer by Tanner Kudrna. As hard as it is to believe, the Cowboys scored their final bucket of the game with 7:10 to go on a Kudrna offensive rebound and put back.

The Cowboys had no problem breaking the Indians trapping defense and either hit lay-ups, open jumpers or got to the free throw line most of the night. HSU was 14-of-20 at the line in the final seven minutes, but splitting their last three trips to the line allowed the Indians to stay in it.

After four offensive rebounds, Kendrick hit a lay-up with 20 seconds to go in the game to cut the Cowboy lead to 85-82. Carl Thompson then split a pair of free throws and Jason Smalls nailed a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 86-85 with 5.8 seconds. Jonas Fuller then hit the first and missed the second to make it 87-785 and a last second half-court attempt by Juan Muniz came up short.

HSU was led by a pair of freshman. Zach Pickelman had 18 points and Tanner Kudrna added 17. Jonas Fuller had 11 and McMurry transfer Dathan Jones added 10.

Post players Kendrick Ellis and Travis Tennison had a big night for the Indians, both recording double-doubles. Tennison had 10 points and 15 rebounds and Ellis had 17 points and 13 rebounds. HSU played the last two minutes without a post player as Tory Peters and Adam Shoupe and top reserve Andy Sanez all fouled out. They were in foul trouble the whole game.

HSU broke a five-game losing streak to improve to 2-5 on the year and 1-0 in ASC West play. McMurry fell to 4-2 and 0-1. HSU is off until it plays at UT-Dallas on Dec. 31.