ABILENE, Texas – LeTourneau University's men's basketball team dropped its American Southwest Conference opener Thursday night at McMurry, 91-86.

The YellowJackets (7-3, 0-1 ASC) struggled from three-point range, going 4 of 35. The War Hawks (5-6, 2-0) were 10 of 30 from long distance. It was the first road loss of the season for the YellowJackets. 

"It's tough to win when you shoot 4 of 35 from three-point range, and never found a comfortable flow on offense," LETU coach Dan Miller said. "McMurry got off to a hot start in tonight's game, and then when the game was on the line, made some big shots."

McMurry took a 10-point lead with 12:04 to play after Mike Williams Jr. scored. LETU went on a 13-0 run to take a 69-66 lead after Korrin Taylor sank the back end of a pair at the free throw line with 8:41 remaining. Berry Dedrick Jr. buried a 3-pointer with 3:10 remaining to give the War Hawks a six-point lead.

LETU responded with a 7-0 run when John Argue hit a transition layup, Andrew Eberhardt canned a triple and Kyle Matthews scored in the paint with 30 seconds left to put the Jackets up, 86-85. But McMurry's Colin Taylor drained a 3 on the next trip down the floor to help the War Hawks reclaim a lead they would not surrender. McMurry scored the game's final six points to hold on.

"The guys never gave up, and fought hard to take a late lead, but to McMurry's credit, they hit a big three-point shot when they were down one in the last minute, and then made their final free throws," Miller said.

Nate West finished with 28 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Brick Fosnight had 15 points, eight boards, two blocks and a steal. He was 7 of 9 from the floor. Argue had 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Justin Moore had 10 points and four rebounds. Eberhardt had seven points, 11 rebounds and two blocks. Matthews finished with seven points and six rebounds.

Berry Jr. had 26 points and four assists, and Williams Jr. finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

The YellowJackets matched a season-high eight blocks. LeTourneau outscored McMurry, 23-14, in transition. The War Hawks' bench outscored the YellowJackets, 37-19.

"We need a good day of practice and to stay together because we have another tough game at Hardin-Simmons on Saturday," Miller said.

LETU will play at HSU 3 p.m. Saturday.