The two teams battled basket for basket for most of the game as their were 12 leads changes and the score was tied seven times and neither team led by more than four points in the second half until a Travis Tennison bucket at the 1:46 mark.
The basket gave the Indians a 66-60 lead and they hit five of their next six free throw shots to move it to 71-63 with :18 to play.
The game was a contrast of styles as the Indians pounded the smaller Cowboys in the paint outscoring them 42-20 in the lane and outrebounding them 35-25. The Cowboys were able to connect on 9 3-pointers, compared to just one for the Indians.
Zach Pickelman led the Cowboys with 14 points and eight rebounds. Grant Justus added 11 points and Adam Shoupe added 10. Freshman Travis Tennison led the Indians with 21 points. Juan Muniz was the only other Indian in double figures with 16 points.
HSU dropped it fifth straight game to fall to 5-14 overall and 3-5 in conference. McMurry improved to 11-8 and 4-4 in ASC West play. HSU returns to action Thursday when it hosts Schreiner.