Jan. 21, 2007

ABILENE, Texas - Anytime McMurry and Hardin-Simmons play in anything there is some added intensity, but Monday night there is not only the rivalry factor but both basketball games could be key games to the American Southwest Conference race. The women's game tips at 5:30 with the men to follow as part of the 10th Annual Kiwanis Club of Abilene Basketball Shootout.

Hardin-Simmons comes into the women's game with a mark of 13-2 overall and 11-1 in ASC play. McMurry is 15-1 overall and 12-0 in ASC play. McMurry won the first game at the Mabee Complex 61-56 in December. McMurry is tied with Howard Payne for the league lead and HSU plays Howard Payne on Thursday. If the Cowgirls could win both games, all three teams would be tied heading into Saturday's play.

The men's game is just as meaningful as HSU and McMurry are tied with 8-4 conference records in league play and are percentage points behind Mary Hardin-Baylor for the ASC lead. An HSU win would give the Cowboys not only a game lead over McMurry, but also would give them the tiebreaker edge going down the stretch. It would also leave the Cowboys in the hunt for the ASC West title. HSU won the first meeting 64-63 on a Zach Pickelman 3-pointer with less than a second remaining.

HSU fans are encouraged to arrive early as limited seating is available and a sellout is expected.

Read the full game notes for the men and women.