Athletics News

Box Score

(Photo of Josh Scott by Drew Engelke)
 

ABILENE, Texas – Jonathan Walker scored 18 of his team-high 29 points in the first half to lead McMurry University to a 90-78 conference win over Texas Lutheran on Thursday.

 

At McMurry’s Kimbrell Arena, Walker hit seven of his first nine shots and propelled McMurry to a 48-34 lead at the half. Walker finished with 11 field goals in 13 attempts. He hit six of his eight free throws.

 

McMurry led by as many as 19 in the second half. TLU cut the lead down to eight, 81-74, with 1:19 to play but could close no further.

 

McMurry, the American Southwest Conference West Division leader, improved to 9-4 overall and to 8-1 in the ASC. McMurry improved to 5-0 in Kimbrell Arena.

 

TLU dropped its sixth consecutive game. The Bulldogs fell to 2-10 overall and to 2-7 in the ASC.

 

McMurry also received 20 points from Dewayne Hall and 13 points from Ricky Burney.

 

TLU placed five players in double figures. Josh Scott (The Woodlands/The Woodlands) and Brad Howard (Houston/Cypress Creek) each scored 14.

 

Nate Walton (Houston/Westside) and Tyler Wanek (Fredericksburg/Fredericksburg) contributed 13 and 12 points, respectively. Malcolm Dotson (LaMarque/LaMarque) scored 12.

 

Wanek and Scott each grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Bulldogs.

 

The Bulldogs finished with a shooting percentage of 40.9 percent. McMurry shot 62.1 percent in the first half and 60 percent in the second half. TLU was able to get to the free throw line 20 times in the second half. The Bulldogs made 16 foul shots in the second half and 20-for-25 in the game.

 

 TLU committed 20 turnovers but forced 27 McMurry turnovers. Howard and Michael Flores (Spring/Klein Collins) each registered three steals.

 

TLU plays Hardin-Simmons in Abilene on Saturday. Game time is set for 3 p.m. at HSU’s Mabee Gymnasium.