Hounds drop two to Mustangs

WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Eastern New Mexico University’s bid to extend its winning streak to six came up just short on Saturday.

The Greyhounds struggled from the field and, perhaps more notably, the free throw line, and a last-second 3-point shot by junior guard Greg Johnson was off the mark in a 56-53 Lone Star Conference men’s loss to Midwestern State.

ENMU (10-4, 5-3 LSC) used a 9-0 spurt to storm in front 48-41 with just over seven minutes left. But the Hounds managed only five more points the rest of the way.

Coach Brent Owen said his team played hard enough to win.

“I told them after the game that this was one of the most physical games I’ve been a part of,” he said. “I’m proud of how (his players) responded to the physicality, and proud of their effort.

“Down the stretch, it came down to our lack of execution and a few turnovers.”

MSU (8-7, 5-4) led 32-24 at halftime, but the Mustangs missed their first 12 shots from the field to begin the second half.

Freshman guard Junior Hodnett hit a pair of baskets to cap ENMU’s second-half surge into the lead. But the Mustangs responded with a 12-0 run of their own to open a 53-48 advantage and ENMU was unable to catch up, making only one of its final nine shots from the floor.

Senior guard Pierre Sanders led the Mustangs with 17 points, while senior forward Jermane Carter posted his fourth double-double of the campaign with 14 points and 10 rebounds and senior guard Derrick Ogechi added 10. MSU shot just 30 percent for the game, including 4-of-25 in the second half.

For the Hounds, 6-foot-9 freshman forward Jose Murrillo, junior guard Grehlon Easter and Hodnett all had 10 points. ENMU shot just 39 percent, including 4-of-14 from distance, and made only 5-of-14 foul shots.

Midwestern State 83, ENMU 77 (women) – Coming in with just three wins all season, the Mustangs used an early 13-0 run to take control and then opened a 17-point lead with a 15-2 blitz to start the second half.

The Hounds countered with a 12-0 surge and eventually pulled to 68-66 late, but MSU rebuilt a nine-point cushion down the stretch and managed to hang on.

Freshman forward Dyamon Griggs tied a season-best with 26 points and completed her fourth double-double with 12 rebounds for Midwestern State. Freshman guard Maya Kendall nailed three 3-pointers and scored a season-best 14 points, all in the first half, while junior guard Natalie Stice – who transferred to MSU this year from ENMU – also had 14 points to go with five rebounds and four steals and junior guard Kennedi Green added 10 points, six assists and four rebounds.

Junior guard-forward Deja Adrian scored a season-best 28 points for ENMU and also collected 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double, while sophomore guard Bella Stone had 15 points and six caroms in 39 minutes.

“Our group fought hard, especially in the fourth quarter when our defense … made huge plays to get us good looks offensively,” ENMU women’s coach Meghan De los Reyes said. “We … provided ourselves with second chances all game, but we needed to protect the paint better on the other end.”

ENMU squads complete a four-game road swing this week, visiting Lubbock Christian on Thursday and West Texas A&M on Saturday.