ENMU women post 74-57 victory over WT

With some recent wins, Eastern New Mexico University's women have made their all-time series against West Texas A&M look at least a little better.

Senior guard Jayla Smith led three players in double figures with a season-best 20 points, shooting 8-of-11 from the field and 3-of-4 from 3-point range, and narrowly missed a double-double with nine rebounds as the Greyhounds handed WT a 74-57 shellacking in the Lone Star Conference opener for both teams on Saturday at Steve Loy Arena.

ENMU (5-1) used a 13-2 blitz over the final five minutes of the half to take a 27-23 lead into the break, then erupted for 47 second-half points. It was the 100th all-time meeting between the rivals and WT still leads 81-19, but ENMU notched its third win in the last four outings with the Lady Buffs (4-2), including three in a row at home.

Smith contributed a 3 during the run while junior guard Nataya Lockett pushed the margin to four with eight seconds left in the half by converting a 3-point play, and ENMU went on to win going away.

Senior forward Ishauna Hunter came off the pines for 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals while junior guard Nataya Lockett added 11 points and a game-high five assists. Three others chipped in at least eight points.

ENMU was efficient from the floor, shooting 47 percent (30-of-63) and converting 7-of-15 from 3-point range. The Hounds also owned the glass 47-30.

Junior guard Claire Graham led WT with 18 points and seven rebounds while sophomore forward Taylor Haggan added 13 points and junior guard Randi Harding scored 12. WT had just four assists in the contest, three coming from Harding, compared with 16 for ENMU.

Also, the Hounds limited WT to 36 percent from the floor (21-of-58), including 3-of-12 from 3-point range.

On Saturday, the Hounds play the fourth contest of their six-game homestand, hosting non-league Oklahoma Panhandle State in a 2 p.m. tipoff.

WT 99, ENMU 95 (overtime, men) – In the second half of the twin bill, the Hounds rallied from a 14-point, first-half deficit, taking their first lead at 45-43 with an 11-2 run early in the second stanza.

Junior guard Cooper Jackson, who entered as the NCAA Division II national leader in steals, got his first of the day with 20 seconds left and found senior forward Mario Whitley open for a game-tying 3-pointer, making it 82-82 at the end of regulation.

But the Buffaloes (6-0), ranked No. 2 in NCAA D-II, scored the first six points in the extra session and kept the Hounds at bay, shooting 11-of-16 from the line during that stretch.

"The effort was awesome today," first-year ENMU men's coach Daven Vo said. "Our guys did everything we asked them to do."

Nine players scored in double figures, including five Hounds. Whitley led the way with 21 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and three steals, while Jackson had a personal-best 16 points off the bench, junior guard Treyvon Byrd added 13 points and nine boards and junior forward Jose Murrillo and senior guard Cougar Downing tossed in 12 points apiece.

ENMU (3-2) shot 50 percent from the floor (37-of-74), but went just 4-of-15 from distance and 17-of-30 from the free throw line. Meantime, the Buffs were 27-of-56 (48 percent) from the field while converting 10-of-22 3-pointers and 35-of-48 foul shots.

Junior guard Ahamed Mohammed paced the Buffs with 25 points while freshman guards Amir McMillan and Narit Chotikavanic tallied 19 and 14, respectively. Freshman guard Jailyn Sledge posted his first double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

In a fast-paced game, both teams took care of the ball – the Buffs had 11 turnovers to 13 for ENMU.

The Hounds continue their early-season, six-game homestand with a noon tipoff on Saturday against Chandler, Ariz.-based Justice College.