GEORGETOWN, TEXAS - Southwestern University Men's Basketball and McMurry University needed double overtime and 50 total minutes action to determine a victor. The Pirates prevailed as senior Luke Hatcher was the hero, knocking down a dagger three-pointer to extend the lead to five in overtime, 88-82. 

Southwestern let McMurry back into the game as the War Hawks forced overtime by outscoring the Pirates 41-30 in the second half. However, Southwestern refused to roll over by locking in defensively, surrendering only 12 points in two overtime periods.

Freshman Neo Franco earned his first start with a massive 24 points on the night for a career-high. Fellow freshman, Sawyer Batz was aggressive all night and rightfully earning crunch time minutes off the bench. Batz finished with a career-high 15 points. 

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• The Pirates took on another SCAC opponent, looking to avenge the two losses to the War Hawks last season. 
• Franco stepped into the starting lineup as Hatcher has been battling nagging injuries. Both proved to completely change the trajectory of the game. 
• 15 of the first 17 points were triples as the Pirates led 17-13. 
• Junior Zach Gomez had 11 first half points, extending the lead to 31-19. 
• Southwestern took a 40-29 lead into halftime with more intensity than the War Hawks. 
• The Pirates have struggled to put the throttle down this season when leading, allowing the War Hawks back into one possession. McMurry mounted a 14-5 run in the first five minutes of the second half. 
• McMurry tied the game before Franco scored five straight points and redshirt sophomore Eli Bradley hit two threes to regain the lead, 60-54. 
• Batz built the lead to eight with five straight points with only six minutes to play. 
• However, McMurry got downhill and hit clutch free throws down the stretch to send the game into overtime. 
• The Pirates owned the first overtime period, but left pivotal free throws on the table as McMurry tied the game up with seven seconds left. We headed into the second overtime at 77-77. 
• Hatcher and Batz both hit threes to set the tone. With 36 seconds left, Hatcher knocked down another three at the end of the shot clock with no room to operate making it 87-82. 
• The Pirates manufactured a stop on the other end and sealed the game. 

GAME NOTES

• Hatcher making the final shot was poetic after coming off the bench for the first time in 19 games. Hatcher recorded 13 points on 12 rebounds. 
• Junior Luke Mills totaled a career-high 12 boards on the night in 40 minutes with four blocks. 
• Franco nearly recorded a double-double with 24 points and nine boards. The freshman duo of Batz and Franco have increased confidence game by game combining for 39 points.
• Gomez was the general at point, commiting zero turnovers on 14 points and four assists. 
• This Pirates squad is the quickest team to five wins since the 2009-10 season. 

UP NEXT
Southwestern battles University of Dallas on the road on Friday before also traveling to Austin College on Saturday night.