Bulldogs hold off Hounds

CANYON, Texas — Heading into the first media timeout of the second half, Eastern New Mexico University’s men looked like they didn’t belong on the same floor with Southwestern Oklahoma.

The Bulldogs, shooting lights out to that point, opened a massive 33-point lead, and ENMU coach Brent Owen had seen enough.

During the timeout, he replaced the five players on the court, looking for a spark. And he got one, helped by seldom-used Sebastian Jimenez, Niko Bossinakis and Isaac Maldonado, who combined for 37 minutes after playing only 28 total in the first four games.

It was probably too late to do anything about this game, but the Greyhounds made their former Lone Star Conference rivals sweat a little, going on a 39-16 blitz over a 12-minute stretch to get within 10. Sophomore guard Adam Hess then had a chance to cut it to seven, but his 3-pointer with 2:10 left was off the mark.

Southwestern ended the game on an 8-1 run to finish off a 99-82 victory in West Texas A&M’s Pak-a-Sack Thanksgiving Classic.

“We put in guys that played hard,” Owen said. “I’m proud of Sebastian Jimenez, Niko Bossinakis and Isaac Maldonado. Those guys really helped give us a boost.”

ENMU (2-3), which faced Oklahoma Baptist on Saturday night to wrap up the event, shot just 39 percent in the first half in falling behind 53-33. For much of the half, the Hounds had fewer field goals than the Bulldogs (1-2) had 3-pointers.

Southwestern shot 53 percent from the field in the half, including 10-of-21 from 3-point distance, and committed just three turnovers. But the Bulldogs were fighting off the Hounds late.

“I knew they would (come back),” Bulldogs coach Terry Evans said of the Hounds. “I told my team at halftime, “Those guys have got heart.’

“We started missing some shots, and it’s natural for guys when they get up by 30 to let down a little bit. But it was good to see us finish the game right.”

Junior guard Tanner Meraz came off the bench for four 3-pointers and a career-best 22 points for Southwestern, leading four Bulldogs in double digits.

“He didn’t play much last year, but obviously he’s gotten a lot better,” Evans said. “He worked hard in the offseason and came in on a mission to get more playing time.”

Meantime, Hess went 5-of-11 from long range and finished with 18 points for ENMU, including 15 in the first half to keep the Hounds within some shouting distance.

“He really shoots it,” Owen said. “I think he’ll be one of the better shooters in the league this year.”

Senior forward Yosnier Cobas tallied 14 points for the Hounds, while freshman guard Kentrell Williams added 13 and senior forward Marvin Mapaga 10.

Still, the concern remains defense for ENMU, which is scoring nearly 87 points per game but allowing nearly 89 on average. The Bulldogs, 13-for-44 from long distance in their first two games, got 3-pointers from eight players in this one.

Owen said some of it is just ‘want-to.’

“We’re not there yet,” he said. “Guys who play hard win, and guys who play hard are going to play.”