Silver City, NM- Western State Colorado University were able to push past the Western New Mexico University basketball team late in the second half to earn the win 64-61 last Saturday night. It came down to another last second possession for the Mustangs (0-8), but could not convert and are still in search for their first win of the season.
Mustangs jumped to an early lead, 8-5, in the first half after a layup made by Brandon Williams (Long Beach, CA/Los Angeles Prep), but a few layups by the Mountaineers (2-7) took the lead back, 9-8, with 13:40 in the half. With the game tied up 14-14 when WSCU nailed a pair of free throws, they triggered some momentum and went up 21-15. A jumper by WNMU’s Carter Aby (San Tan Valley, AZ/Combs) would try and keep things close at 21-17, but Mountaineers answered back with a jumper and layup that would increase their lead 25-18. The Mustang’s last points of the half came from a pair of layups which were shot by Williams and Brandon Tanter (Long Beach, CA/Los Angeles Prep), but the Mountaineers held the lead, 29-22.
Both teams shot below 50% in field goals and three-pointers. The Mustangs would hit 33.3% of their field goals (8-24) and 28.6% of their three pointers (2-7), while the Mountaineers shot 40% in field goals (12-30) and 16.7% in three-pointers (1-6).
Starting the second half, Mustangs were able to crawl their way back when Tanter drilled a three from beyond the arc that put them within three, 33-30. A few possession later, another three was hit by WNMU’s Emery Range (Grand Rapids, MI/Willow Canyon) which was assisted by Steven Loucks (Yuma, AZ/Cibola) that tied the game 38-38. With 10:53 in the half, the Mountaineers took the lead at 46-40 but Mustangs climbed back by hitting a pair of free throws and a pair of layups that tied the game up 46-46.
The lead exchanged and tied after a few possession, but with WNMU down 53-52, they caught fire and scored seven straight points to make the score 59-53. This momentum did not last long when WSCU ignited their own hot streak and scored seven points in a row to go up 60-59 with 2:16 left to play. For the Mustangs, Range knocked down a mid-range jumper in the paint to take the lead 61-60. With 35 seconds left, the Mountaineers snatched the lead back, 62-61, by hitting a pair of free throws shots.
After a timeout taken, WNMU’s Adam Kesler (Silver City, NM/Silver) would attempt a layup but would not be able to convert with 12 seconds left to play. The Mustangs forced a foul and sent WSCU to the free throw line. Both were made which made the score 64-61. With only 8 seconds left and the time winding down, WNMU’s Range had to force a long range three but could not go in and the Mountaineers were able to come away with the win, 64-61.
Both teams shot close in field goals, the Mustangs with 42.9% (24-56) and the Mountaineers with 43.9% (25-57). Mustangs held the advantage in three point field goals with 25% (4-16) to 13.3% (2-15) but not in free throws with the Mountaineers hitting 85.7% (12-14) to 69.2% (9-13).
Range led the team in points with 13 points for the Mustangs. Dan Van Den Kerkhof (New Zealand) came away with a total of six defensive rebounds.
WNMU Men’s Basketball will be traveling to face South Dakota School of Mines & Technology on Friday and Black Hills State University Saturday.
