LONGVIEW, Texas -- LeTourneau men's hoops held McMurry's high-scoring offense in check, but could not overcome a late surge and fell, 82-77, on Monday evening. 

Caedmon Liebengood kept up his hot shooting with a game-high 27 points, including 5-7 from 3-point range. Deonte Jackson and Teigan Edwards scored 11 apiece, while Walker Blaine dominated the glass with 10 rebounds.

The YellowJackets and War Hawks played it close for the first half, with the largest lead being the seven-point advantage LeTourneau assembled late in the half. The YellowJackets got some big shots thrown in by Connor Miller, Cooper Smith, and Jackson in the first half as they led 33-29 at the break.

After a scoreless first 2:10 of the second half, the War Hawks closed the gap to three points, but Smith hit another key 3-pointer to increase the lead back to six. Liebengood would make his presence known just 27 seconds later, as his 3-pointer pushed the lead to seven with 17:05 to go.

After McMurry climbed back into it and took the lead, Liebengood drilled another three to give the YellowJackets the lead again. Edwards scored a layup 46 seconds later to give LeTourneau a two-possession advantage. 

The War Hawks again closed the gap back to one with 9:33 to go, but Smith and Liebengood scored five straight points to give LeTourneau a five-point lead. Another Liebengood three would push the lead to six with 7:15 to go. 

Branson Lynn and Jackson would each hit a 3-pointer later in the half after McMurry rallies, with Jackson's shot making the lead four.

However, McMurry outscored the YellowJackets 20-11 the rest of the way to take the win.

The War Hawks were led by Kino Thompson's 18 points scoring-wise, while TJ Hilliard and Jalen Cherry each had 13 point, 11 rebound double-doubles. 

UP NEXT

The YellowJackets will play Saturday at Concordia Texas at 2 p.m.

FOLLOW THE YELLOWJACKETS

Be sure to follow LeTourneau athletics all season long on letuathletics.com and social media at Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news, and other information.