ESPN College Basketball Column "Weekly Watch"

ABILENE, Texas - In a weekly men's college basketball column on ESPN.com called "Weekly Watch" McMurry University and SMU's Saturday matchup in Abilene made the section entitled "More scores that caught our eye." NCAA Division I Southern Methodist narrowly defeated NCAA Division III McMurry on its home floor Saturday by a score of 70-67.

The column, released Monday, is put together by ESPN's Andy Katz, Brett Ederton and Eamonn Brennan. Ederton stated surprise to the score and the venue on the column.

"We're not sure what's more bizarre. Is it (A) the fact that Matt Doherty's Mustangs played what's believe to be just the third game ever in which a Division I team played on the road against a Division III team? Or is it (B) the fact that the Division III team almost won?," wrote Edgerton in the column.

Doherty, a University of North Carolina alumni and former Tar Heels head coach, said in Saturday's post-game press conference that McMurry's team was a viable opponent compared to previous opponents this season.

"McMurry is a good team, we've played some Division I teams that aren't as good as McMurry. I think Matt does a good job with his team, I know they play with confidence," said the Mustang head coach Doherty. "You can tell [Jaden] Isler and Jones lead with confidence. Those guys didn't quit. We could've thrown a punch at them and they quit, but they didn't quit. The fact that they came out the way they did shows that they were a good team and well coached."

Isler had 14 points and seven assists while Jones scored 14, grabbed nine boards and had three steals. McMurry shocked SMU in the first half by scoring the first six points of the contest and going on to take a 15-2 lead with 12:51 remaining in the first period. However, the Mustangs who had a two-week layoff prior to Saturday's matchup woke up put together a a 21-0 run capped by a pair of free throws from Harp with 5:31 remaining to make the score 26-17, and the Mustangs never relinquished the lead.

McMurry will try to carry the momentum of a solid effort Saturday night into the remainder of the season, which resumes Jan. 6 in Abilene against American Southwest Conference opponent Louisiana College at 7:30 p.m.