Hounds pull away for win

PORTALES - Eastern New Mexico University's men had to work a bit harder than they probably anticipated before nailing down a win in Thursday's matinee home opener at Greyhound Arena.

Sophomore forward Errol White scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, but the Greyhounds didn't put first-year program Navajo Tech away until the final couple of minutes in an 80-70 victory on "Youth Day" before an announced crowd of 2,190, made up mostly of area youngsters.

The teams were slated to meet again on Saturday afternoon at The Rock in Clovis.

ENMU men's coach Brent Owen was looking for a little easier path to victory in the rematch after watching his squad struggle to subdue the pesky Skyhawks (2-3).

He noted that minor injuries to guards Dwayne Chester III and Grehlon Easter and 6-foot-9 sophomore post Malique Oates created some issues.

"We came out flat," Owen said. "Our point guard (Chester) usually sets the tone for how we play.

"Their coach (Robb Floco) did a good job. Those guys were ready to play."

ENMU (2-1) took control with a 23-6 run over the final 6 1/2 minutes of the half to open a 48-35 lead. Still, the Crownpoint-based Skyhawks ultimately were done in when their top two scores, junior forward Jalen Grant (20 points) and freshman guard Jose Miguel (13), fouled out 32 seconds apart with just under five minutes remaining and the team still within six points.

"We're not very deep in bigs," Floco said. "But to come on the road and compete with a very good Eastern New Mexico team, we were resilient."

Floco gave the Hounds credit at the end.

"They showed their maturity and were able to pull away," he said. "We'll make some minor adjustments (for Saturday's rematch), but for the most part we are who we are."

Senior guard Eze Dike added 15 points for the Hounds, while junior guard Greg Holman chipped in 11 off the bench. Each of those players collected three of ENMU's seven 3-point baskets.

Guards Kane Kenyon (11 points) and Rich Serrano (10) also reached double figures for Navajo Tech, which is competing as a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association.

White, who had eight offensive rebounds, also notched four of the team's 21 assists. He had three dunks early in the contest.

"His motor is off the charts," Owen said.

Several Hounds are getting their feet wet as the team adjusts to a mostly-new roster from last season.

"We've just got to execute better," said freshman guard Alex Bossinakis, whose older brother Niko is in his second season with the Hounds. "We have to be better than that. When we play defense better, it probably gives us another 20 points offensively."

Owen was also less than thrilled with his squad's overall effort on that end of the court.

"Our defense was almost non-existent," he said. "We gave up way too many layups and open 3s."