Clarksville, Ark.-McMurry University overcame a 45-point effort by the backcourt duo of Jermery Victor and Andre Williams to earn a 83-79 American Southwest Conference win over the Eagles Thursday night in Abilene, Texas.
Victor hit 4-of-6 from the three-point line and 6-of-7 from the free throw line to score 22 points. Williams hit 3-of-4 from long range and was a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe to pump in a game-high 23 points. It was the fifth time Williams has scored 20-plus points this season.
Ozarks (3-4, 1-2 ASC) jumped out to a 22-11 lead at the midway point of the first half and later built a 25-14 advantage with 7:26 remaining in the half. But McMurry (4-2, 2-1 ASC) reeled off a 22-10 run to hold a 36-35 halftime advantage. Ozarks then played catch-up for the rest of the game.
Just when it appeared McMurry would put the game away, Williams drained a three-pointer to get Ozarks within 53-44 at the 13:22 mark of the second half. McMurry held a 61-50 advantage with less than ten minutes to go, but Williams scored five straight points to put Ozarks within striking distance. Ozarks trailed 71-61 with 4:29 to play, but Williams hit a basket, Kasey Lewis hit a free throw and Victor buried a three-pointer and a jumper to cut the deficit to 71-69. After a pair of McMurry free throws, Victor hit another three with two minutes remaining to pull Ozarks within 73-72. McMurry appeared to have a comfortable 80-76 lead with just 40 seconds left, but Victor again hit a shot from long range to make the score 80-79 with 32 seconds left. McMurry then sank 3-of-4 free throws down the stretch and Ozarks wouldn’t score again.
Shawn Curtis had 12 rebounds and seven points.
Ozarks will travel to Hardin-Simmons University Saturday.
Topics: Athletics