Hounds turn back Permian Basin

No Jahcoree Ealy? At least so far, no problem for Eastern New Mexico University's men.

While Ealy – the Lone Star Conference scoring leader – awaits a ruling on what Greyhounds coach Brent Owen has termed "an NCAA situation," ENMU went about its business in impressive fashion over the weekend, capped by Saturday's 95-82 victory over Texas-Permian Basin at Greyhound Arena.

It's not to say the Hounds won't need Ealy back; they're obviously much better off with him. Owen said he's hopeful Ealy's situation can be resolved in time for him to return for the first two of four consecutive road games – at Midwestern State on Thursday night and at Cameron on Saturday.

Senior guard Greg Johnson scored an efficient 27 points – 9-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range, and 5-of-7 from the foul line. He led five Hounds in double figures in the contest.

Meantime, 7-foot freshman Jaxon Koroll and 7-3 freshman Conrad Luczynski came off the bench to take care of the interior after 6-9 sophomore forward Jose Murillo struggled with foul trouble and played just over five minutes.

"It was a matter of everybody stepping up," said Koroll, a Canadian who came to ENMU by way of Long Island, N.Y. "It was definitely a team effort. We all looked at it as an opportunity.

"I've been trying to figure out my role. This was an opportunity to show the coaching staff what I'm able to bring to the team."

Luczynski had an effective first half and finished his day with eight points and four rebounds. Koroll did most of his damage after halftime and tallied 11 points, seven boards and three of ENMU's five blocks.

"It's good to have three centers that are all good enough," Owen said. "I really think these guys are the future of our program, and a big part of the present as well."

Junior forward Mario Whitley added 15 points and seven rebounds, sophomore guard Junior Hodnett came off the bench for 14 points and three steals and junior guard Tre'Von Love added 13 points. The Hounds shot better than 50 percent in each half, finishing 31-for-57 (54 percent), while making 8-of-14 3-point shots and converting 25-of-33 free throws.

Johnson said that while the Hounds are anxious to get Ealy back, players' roles haven't changed that much without him.

"I feel like we're still doing the same things," he said. "We all stepped up big today.

"I'm just proud of the way we fought. We're coming together as a team."

Junior guards Alex Matthews and Zy Wright led five players in double digits for the Falcons (13-8, 8-7), each with 15 points. Meantime, 6-8 senior forward Lathaniel Bastian earned his LSC-leading 12th double-double of the campaign (14 points, 15 rebounds), but Owen said the Hounds made him work harder than in a 79-76 loss at Odessa on Jan. 4 when he had 26 points and 14 caroms.

"We were sending a double-team at him," Owen said. "The big thing is we defended Bastian better than we did the first time."

ENMU's defense limited the Falcons to 41 percent shooting, including 5-of-25 from 3-point range.