Contributed by Chad Grubbs, HSU Director of Athletic Communications
ABILENE, Texas - Cameron Barnes exploded for a career-best 43 points and Hardin-Simmons torched crosstown rival McMurry 114-72 on Saturday afternoon at the Mabee Complex.
In the previous meeting, the Cowboys let McMurry hang around and the War Hawks held off the Cowboys 93-90. HSU made sure that was not the case on Saturday as they exploded out of the gates with a 23-8 run and the War Hawks never recovered. HSU hit six 3-pointers in the early surge.
The Cowboys continued the onslaught and hit 10 3's in the first half and led 57-29 at halftime. The big highlight came toward the end of the half when freshman Joe Hoeup split a pair of defenders and flushed a one-handed power dunk, bringing the Mabee Complex to its feet.
It didn't let up in the second half as Cameron Barnes, the Cowboys lone senior, scored 28 points in the second half on 8-of-13 shooting, including 5-of-9 from 3-point range.
HSU shot 54.8 percent in the game and was 18-of-38 from 3-point range The Cowboys turned 17 McMurry turnovers in to a 27-8 advantage in points off turnovers.
Dashun Dixon had 14 points and Nathaniel Jack added 12 points, 16 rebounds and six assists. Caleb Spoon had 11 points.
Larandall Scroggins had 16 points and Nate Estrada had 12 to pace McMurry.
The Cowboys are now 15-8 on the year and McMurry fell to 3-20. HSU will close the regular season on the road next week at Concordia and Mary Hardin-Baylor.
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