ABILENE, Texas -- The Texas Lutheran Bulldogs nearly erased a 23-point lead by McMurry in the second half but could not overcome the deficit in a 59-56 road loss Friday night to the War Hawks.

TLU fell to 2-4 overall with its second consecutive loss. McMurry improved to 4-3. The Bulldogs and War Hawks split the season's non-conference series, with each team winning on its home court.

At McMurry's Kimbrell Arena, the Bulldogs trailed by 21 with 7:49 remaining in the game before mounting the rally. TLU went on an 18-0 run over the next seven minutes to pull within three points, at 56-53, with 1:38 to play. Alex Cage had seven of the Bulldogs' 18 points in that spurt.

McMurry's Aaron Gettys made a free throw with 22 seconds to play to push the War Hawks' lead up to four. Gettys' free throw snapped McMurry's scoring drought of 7:27.

Jacob Kouremetis hit a three-pointer for TLU to bring the Bulldogs within one, 57-56, with 11 seconds to play. McMurry's LaRandall Scroggins got loose for a dunk with a second to play, giving the War Hawks a three-point edge.

Nathan Joseph's last-second three-pointer for TLU did not fall.

McMurry led 39-18 at the half. TLU out-scored the War Hawks 38-20 in the second half.

Cage and Matthew Gillette each scored 12 for TLU. Gillette pulled down eight rebounds. Cage had two assists, three rebounds and four steals.

Jackson Willoughby chipped in 11 points and three rebounds for the Bulldogs.

Scroggins led McMurry with 13 points. The War Hawks shot 47.8 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from the three-point line for the game.

TLU finished at 39.3 percent shooting for the game. The Bulldogs were 4-for-19 (21.1 percent) from the three-point line.

The Bulldogs stay in Abilene to play Hardin-Simmons at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in HSU's Mabee Complex.