Back-to-Back Conference Champions

The War Hawks spent the last weekend in February competing in their last American Southwest Conference Tournament. This year, the tournament was held at Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas. Eight ASC teams made the tournament- UT Dallas, East Texas Baptist, Louisiana College, and Mississippi College from the East Division and Mary Hardin-Baylor, Hardin Simmons, McMurry, and Schreiner from the West Division. To be Conference Champions, McMurry would have to win 3 games in one weekend.

McMurry went in as a number 3 seed. They would play the East number 2 seed on Friday evening. McM won handily over ETBU with a score of 100-75.

On Saturday, McMurry had to face the host team and West number 1 seed, UMHB. This would be the 3rd time that the War Hawks faced the Crusaders this season. Despite the odds against them, McMurry pulled out another exciting victory over UMHB, 77-69. 

This brought the War Hawks to the conference championship game for the second year in a row. This year, they would be playing cross-town rival, Hardin Simmons. After an intense overtime game, McMurry came out on top, 86-81. This win made the War Hawks American Southwest Conference Champions for a second year in a row! 

The five seniors finished their McMurry basketball career on a high note!

Road Games to Begin the Second Semester

McMurry ended 2011 with a game in New Mexico. They played in Portales at Eastern Mexico University against NAIA school Northern New Mexico. Coach Isler enjoyed the opportunity to take the War Hawks to practice at Clovis High School and show them around his former city. Jaden Isler and Bryce Hill also had the chance to reminisce about their high school days. McM kept a large lead for most of the game. In the last seven minutes, NNM attempted to make a come back. The War Hawks held onto their lead and won the game with a score of 85-82.

McMurry returned in 2012 to take on two tough road trips in a row. First up were Mississippi College and Louisiana College. After leading most of the game, the War Hawks suffered a Mississippi College comeback and fell to MC 65-72. Determined to bounce back, McMurry played great from the tip against Lousiana College and pulled out a 75-64 victory.

 

The War Hawks returned home only to head back out onto the road. Their Thursday game was against Howard Payne- an hour and a half drive southeast of Abilene. The game remained close throughout the first half, but Howard Payne spread the game out in the second half. Down 13, McM battled back to take a 1 point lead with twenty seconds left in the game. Unfortunately, McM couldn't hold on and Howard Payne scooted by with a 91-94 win. The team then headed to Sul Ross University in Alpine, TX- another tough gym to play in. But the guys worked hard and were determined to finish their road trip with a victory. McM defeated the Lobos with a score of 68-63.

The War Hawks came away from their first road games of the semester 3-2. This took their overall record to 10-4 and conference record to 6-4. The team was ready to get back to Abilene for a 4-game home stretch.

First Half of the Season Recap

As the War Hawks are beginning the second half of their season, it only seems fitting to quickly recap the first half. 

McMurry started the season off with two home games on November 18 and 19. First up was Barclay College. Coach Isler received his first McM win with a score of 98-59. Saturday night, the War Hawks hosted Southwestern Adventist University and came away with another win of 98-64.

Beginning November 26, McM began conference play at home against LeTourneau University from Longview, Texas. LeTourneau came into the game with a record of 1-1. The War Hawks earned another victory with a score of 85-66. McMurry brought their season record to 4-0 and conference record to 2-0 when they outscored UT Tyler 99-74.

The first weekend of December brought the first road trip of the season. The team traveled to Clarksville, Arkansas to play University of the Ozarks where they continued their best start since the 1998-99 season. After an 84-73 win, McM headed back to Texas to play UT Dallas. Unfortunately, the War Hawks suffered their first loss of the season with a score of 86-94. 

McMurry returned home to defeat East Texas Baptist University with a score of 92-71. Next up was Centenary College who is new to the ASC this year. McMurry earned another victory by outscoring Centenary 98-88. The War Hawks finished their first semester of play hosting their cross-town rival Hardin Simmons. The game came down to the final seconds, but Hardin Simmons squeaked by with a 78-81 score.

The War Hawks left for Christmas break with a 7-2 overall record and a 4-2 conference record.

Exhibition Game at SMU

Friday, November 11, the War Hawks will travel to Dallas, TX to compete against the Southern Methodist University Mustangs. Though it will be an exhibition game, the team and coaches are anxious for the first game of the 2011-2012 season.

Last year, McMurry hosted the Division I SMU in a regular season game. It was only the third time in history an NCAA Division III hosted an NCAA Division I. McMurry fell short of the upset in the last seconds of the game, ultimately falling to the Mustangs by the score of 67-70.

If you are in the Dallas area, be sure to come out to Moody Coliseum at 7:00 pm for the game. Tickets will be as low $10. Visit the SMU ticket office or call (214) 768-2904 to purchase advanced tickets. 

McMurry Picked as Number One!

On Wednesday, October 19, the American Southwest Conference announced the preseason rankings for basketball. The rankings were divided by East and West divisions and voted on by head coaches, sports information directors, and other media members. The McMurry War Hawks were excited to recieve the number one spot for the West Division! With 13 of the 24 first place votes, McMurry recieved 174 points. Following the War Hawks are Mary-Hardin Baylor in second and Hardin Simmons in third. Rounding out the West Division are Concordia, Texas Lutheran, Sul Ross, Schriener, and Howard Payne. In the East division, UT Dallas, Mississippi College, and East Texas Baptist are the top three teams.

Along with the team honors, Steven Jones was picked as the West Division Preseason Player of the Year! Jones is returning for his senior year after being named the ASC West Division Player of the Year in the 2010-2011 season.

With a first place pick and player of the year honors to begin the season, there is some definite pressure on the War Hawks. But, Jones and the War Hawk team are hard at work to defend their honors. The athletes and coaches are ready to prove their ranking. Practices continue to be intense and focused. The McMurry men hope to repeat their Division and Conference Championships this year, and this is only the beginning!

 Visit McMurry's website or the ASC website for more information about the preseason picks.

Basketball Season has Arrived!!!

October fifteenth- the first day of college basketball season. 

The first day the coaches can roll out the basketballs and teach their team the ins and outs of the game they want played this year. 

The first day the athletes can run their plays and begin preparing on the court for their season. 

It's a day that coaches and athletes both look forward to. And it has arrived!

The War Hawk basketball team began practice on Saturday, October 15 at 8:30 am. The team worked hard, rested, and came back at 5:00 pm for another session of hard work. The War Hawks didn't want to miss out on a minute of opportunity on the first day of their 2011-2012 basketball season.

The team looks good. The coaches and players are both excited to get more acquainted with each other and really get the season underway.

Go War Hawks!!!

Staying Busy During Off-Season

During the off-season, War Hawk Men's Basketball participates in several different philanthropy events. It is important to the coaching staff, as well as the student athletes, to stay involved in the community. McMurry has a great group of long-time supporters, and in return, the men's basketball team enjoys supporting the community of Abilene.

A couple weeks ago, the team helped a long time McMurry Basketball supporter in her move at Wesley Place. Wesley Place is an assisted living complex in Abilene where Mrs. McMinn was moving from one floor to another. The athletes helped to move all her funiture and get everything set up and in its place.

Tonight, the War Hawk Men's Basketball team joined other War Hawk athletes at Disability Resources Incorportated. The athletes helped unload a truck full of over 4,000 pumpkins to help get the pumpkin patch ready in time for Halloween! The pumpkin patch at DRI serves as one of their biggest annual fundraisers as it brings in up to $80,000.

 

Coach Isler and Coach Kemp did their part as well.

The guys kept the energy and smiles going throughout the 2 hours of unloading. 

Make sure to head over to DRI and pick up a pumpkin!