Greyhounds Close Strong for 74-67 Win at Western State

GUNNISON, COLO.—  After nine tie scores and 10 lead changes, junior forward Max Carrier’s (Canyon Lake, Calif./Irvine Valley CC) layup gave the Eastern New Mexico University men’s basketball team (2-0) a 66-65 lead they would not relinquish on the way to a 74-67 win over Western State College (0-2), Wednesday night at Paul Wright Gym. Aaron Edwards (Jr., F, Long Beach, Calif./Gardena HS/San Bernardino Valley College) registered his second consecutive double double for the Hounds, finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

The teams have not met since WSC picked up a 66-64 win during the Harry Miller/ENMU Shootout, during the 2006-07 season. The Hounds last win in the series was a neutral site meeting on November 29, 1996, by a 90-84 score.

After an early exchange of baskets, Tyler Jefferson’s (Sr., F, Fort Worth, Texas/North Crowley HS/Tyler JC) jumper ignited a 10-2 ENMU run, giving the Hounds a 14-6 lead with 14:35 left in the opening half, but the Mountaineers charged back with a 12-4 run, knotting the score at 18-all. After another exchange of baskets, Martin Graham gave Western State their first lead, 24-22, on a layup with 7:22 left in the half. The Hounds immediately responded with an Edwards trey, igniting an 11-3 ENMU run, capped by a Tralyn Harden (Jr., G, Itasca, Texas/Itasca HS/McClennan CC) layup for a 33-27 edge with 4:17 remaining in the period. Western State trimmed Eastern’s lead, pulling to within 38-37 on a Jake Brady layup with 35 seconds left on the clock. The Greyhounds held a 13-2 edge in the opening half in points off turnovers, capitalizing on seven WSC miscues, while also committing seven of their own.

The back and forth action continued into the second half, with the Mountaineers rallying from a six-point deficit to tie the game at 60-all with 3:28 remaining. From that point, there were four lead changes, with Alex Hart giving Western State their final lead, 65-64, on a three-point bucket with 2:02 left. The Hounds used strong free throw shooting, hitting nine of their final 10 from the charity stripe to seal the win.

Western State held a 41.5-33.3 percent edge in shooting from the floor, but Eastern used a 27-7 advantage in points scored off turnovers. The Mountaineers committed 18 turnovers, while ENMU had 12 miscues. Carrier finished with 15 points, nine boards, two assists and three steals, while Victor Reid (Sr., F, El Paso, Texas/Cochise CC) added 12 points and six rebounds. Hart paced WSC with 20 points and seven rebounds.

The Eastern New Mexico University men’s basketball team will play at Fort Lewis College on Friday night. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST.