ENMU men never trail in 83-73 win over ASU

PORTALES – Eastern New Mexico University’s men continued their early-season home dominance on Sunday.

Facing an Angelo State squad which entered the fray unbeaten in Lone Star Conference play, the Greyhounds led all the way except for a brief early tie and defeated the Rams 80-70 at Greyhound Arena, extending their winning streak to four and improving to 8-0 at home this season.

Coming off a season-best 24-point performance in Friday’s 84-75 victory over Texas-Permian Basin, junior guard Greg Johnson funneled in 20 points against ASU (9-3,5-1 LSC).

ENMU (9-3, 4-2) snapped a 4-4 tie with an 11-0 run and never looked back. The Hounds led by as much as 21 points before halftime and didn’t permit the Rams to get closer than nine the rest of the way.

“I’m really pleased with the way we started the game, and the way we finished the game,” Hounds coach Brent Owen said. “Defensively, we were exceptional over the first 10 minutes of the game.

“I was really proud of the effort and intensity against a really tough, physical team that was sitting at the top of the conference.”

Senior guard Eze Dike finished with 18 points and junior guard-forward Jahcoree Ealy added 15, both frequently getting into the paint. Because they were attacking the basket, the Hounds got to the free throw line 31 times and converted 25, led by Johnson with 8-of-8.

Sophomore forward Errol White notched his fifth double-double of the campaign with 10 points and 14 rebounds after struggling with foul problems against UTPB.

“He did an incredible job getting to the glass and grabbing rebounds,” Owen said of White. “I think he wanted to make sure he led the team in rebounds tonight.”

ENMU mounted the second-highest scoring output against ASU this season. Meantime, the Hounds limited the Rams to just 36 percent field goal shooting.

Angelo State put four starters into double figures, led by junior guard Willie Guy with three 3s and 18 points.

Angelo State 73, ENMU women 63 – Junior guard Sawyer Lloyd made mild overtures at a quadruple-double for the Rambelles, posting her fifth double-double of the campaign with 19 points and 13 rebounds while adding five assists and six steals.

ASU (11-2, 6-1) had to fight for its life to escape at Western New Mexico 54-50 on Friday night, but stayed in control most of the way in this one behind a defense which posted eight blocks, forced 12 steals and limited the Greyhounds to 28 percent field goal shooting (17-of-61), including 4-of-20 from distance.

ENMU shot a brilliant 89 percent (25-of-28) from the foul line, including 24-of-24 through three quarters, to stay in striking range. Junior guard-forward Deja Adrian went 9-for-9 from the stripe en route to a game-high 23 points, while sophomore guard Bella Stone added 12 points and posted team highs with four assists and three steals.

Six-foot-3 junior forward Tayjanna McGhee-Pleasant added 16 points for the Rambelles, while sophomore forward Madeline Stephens also notched a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) and freshman guard Briley Merket chipped in 11 tallies. Lloyd and Merket each nailed a trio of 3-pointers.

ENMU trailed just 20-19 midway through the second stanza, but the Rambelles posted a 17-8 surge to build a 10-point halftime lead.

“We needed to take better care of the ball, especially when we couldn’t quite get into our rhythm offensively tonight,” ENMU women’s coach Meghan De los Reyes said. “We fought hard in the fourth quarter and cut a (23-point) deficit to eight, which showed our persistence and what we’re capable of when a few more shots start to fall.”

ENMU squads, who haven’t played on the road since Dec. 3, now have four straight away doubleheaders, beginning on Thursday against Cameron at Lawton, Okla.