Box Score
ABILENE, Texas — St. Mary's Men's Basketball squeezed out a nail biter Thursday night, downing McMurry 69-64 in a crucial night for Heartland Conference standings.
In a tight race for the conference crown, Thursday's win kept the Rattlers secured as the No. 3 spot in standings as the season quickly winds down.
Only two regular season games remain for all contenders in the conference with UA Fort Smith and Texas A&M International currently tied for the No. 1 spot with a 12-4 league record.
The Rattlers are two games back in the No. 3 spot with the victory over McMurry (11-13, 6-9 in conference) improving them to 17-7 overall and 10-6 in league play.
Four Rattlers broke double digits in the win Thursday with big man
Justin Alexander (Jr., San Antonio) leading the way with 13 points.
Alexander played tough in the paint, also recording four blocks and eight rebounds.
Marvin Binney (Jr., Toronto, Canada),
JJ Bolton (Jr., Beaumont, Miss.) and
Joe Monroe all chipped in 11 points apiece while
Marvin Whitt (Jr., Birmingham, Ala.) was close behind at nine points.
Monroe (RS-Jr., San Antonio) nearly cracked a double double, recording a team-high nine rebounds.
St. Mary's started off hot, going on a 16-3 run to start the game but cooled off by half as the War Hawks brought it within two at the break, 31-29.
The contest was tight throughout the second half with the War Hawks within two with four minutes remaining but the Rattlers pushed a nine-point lead with 18 seconds left to close out the win by a five-point margin.
StMU hit an impressive seven 3's for the night with Bolton going perfect, knocking down three 3's in as many attempts.
The Rattlers travel to play long-stemmed rival St. Edward's at 3 p.m. Saturday in Austin, Texas.
