In search of a sweep over the McMurry University War Hawks, the Sul Ross State men's basketball team had a golden opportunity to protect the home court and come out victorious.
Up 43-35 at halftime, the Lobos let one slip right through their fingers as McMurry came away with the come-from-behind 85-79 victory Saturday evening at the Pete P. Gallego Center.
Sul Ross entered the game 12-8 against McMurry since 2012. The Lobos had also won the previous two meetings.
McMurry began the game on a 4-0 run before
Larry Morrison made a layup to put the Lobos on the board.
Trey Nelson then hit a clutch three-pointer to put Sul Ross ahead, 5-4.
Caelyb Kerley followed up with a jumper in the paint while Morrison made another layup to extend the Lobos' run to 9-0.
McMurry cut the deficit to two with a three-pointer and then Sul Ross answered with a shot from beyond the arc by
Hayden Peterson with 15:49 in the opening half.
There were two different lead changes as Sul Ross broke a 17-17 tie with a layup from
Daveone Bass. The War Hawks nodded up the game at 19-all for the third different lead change.
Eli Gonzalez helped the Lobos brew up a 9-0 run by making a jumper within the paint with 9:52 to go until halftime.
Christian Nevarez added to the run by making a three-pointer.
Sul Ross led by as much as 11 with 2:29 on the clock.
McMurry got to within six before Kerley made a layup with 46 seconds left on the clock to give the Lobos an eight-point lead heading into the locker room.
The Lobos led by nine with 18:10 in the second half.
A three by C.J. LeBlanc and a layup from Elijah Lomas cut the deficit to one. The score was tied three more times before McMurry used a 6-0 run to pull away.
Nelson led the way with 16 points and six assists while
Gabe Sanchez chipped in with 13 points. Kerley finished with 11 points.
Morrison added with nine points and three rebounds.
Vince Peralez was the leading rebounder with seven.
Sul Ross had 35 rebounds to McMurry's 33. The Lobos also shot 14 of 18 from the free throw line.
>> RECORDS: Sul Ross (6-14, 3-10); McMurry (6-13, 5-7)
>> UP NEXT: The Lobos have five games remaining in the regular season, with three being at home. Sul Ross hosts the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2.
