ENMU men picked eighth, women 11th in LSC polls

RICHARDSON, Texas – Eastern New Mexico University’s men were chosen eighth out of 16 teams in the Lone Star Conference preseason basketball poll on Monday.

The Greyhounds garnered 377 points in the poll. West Texas A&M had 34 of 45 first-place votes and finished with 703 points. Coach Brent Owen returns seven players from last year’s 17-12 squad (12-10 LSC), including four who earned some level of All-LSC honors.

Senior forward Jahcoree Ealy was listed among “players to watch” in the conference. Ealy led the Hounds with 12.7 ppg and in assists (2.7 apg).

ENMU begins the season with a 7:30 p.m. tipoff against New Mexico Highlands on Nov. 10 at Greyhound Arena.

The ENMU women were picked for 11th place out of 16 teams, tallying 248 points and finishing ahead of Western New Mexico, Texas A&M International, Arkansas-Fort Smith, Midwestern State and St. Mary’s.

Angelo State took the top spot in the hole with 652 points and 15 first-place votes, followed by Texas Woman’s with 652 points and 13 first-place tallies. ENMU collected 248 points and finished ahead of Western New Mexico, Texas A&M International, Arkansas-Fort Smith, Midwestern State and St. Mary’s.

Senior forward Deja Adrian was among LSC players to watch” for the Hounds. Adrian led the team in scoring (17.0 ppg), rebounding (7.1 rpg) last season as ENMU finished 12-15 (9-13 LSC).

Blake Huber, hired this summer to replace Meghan De los Reyes, returns four players from the 2022-23 roster, led by Adrian and senior guard Ashley Shipley.

On Sunday, the Greyhounds traveled to Albuquerque for an exhibition clash against the University of New Mexico Lobos and absorbed a 77-57 setback at The Pit.

After the teams exchanged 3-pointers to begin the contest, New Mexico went on an 11-0 run that lasted nearly seven minutes. The Hounds cut a 14-point, second quarter deficit to 35-27.

ENMU then used a 9-0 surge to cut the margin to four with six minutes left in the third quarter, but the Lobos then cashed in three layups to pull away again. Still, UNM carried only a 51-42 lead into the final stanza.

ENMU has another exhibition at 2 p.m. on Sunday at New Mexico State before opening the regular campaign at home in a 2:30 p.m. tip on Nov. 10 against Fort Lewis.