Mountaineers Claim Back-And-Forth Battle With Mustangs

SILVER CITY, N.M. – In a back-and-forth affair that witnessed six ties and 13 lead changes ended up going to Western State Colorado University as they held off the Western New Mexico University men’s basketball team for a 66-58 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Friday night.

WSCU (4-18, 3-15 RMAC) shot well in the opening half connecting on 50 percent (11-22), but committed nine turnovers that led to eight points for WNMU (2-20, 2-16 RMAC). The Mustangs came out firing jumping out to a 6-0 lead behind baskets from Steven Loucks (Yuma, AZ/Cibola), Marcos Castrillo (San Francisco, CA/Pinole Valley) and Terrez Scott (Santa Clarita, CA/Valencia).

The Mountaineers would come back to take their first lead at 10-9 at the 12:28 mark. The teams would then trade leads throughout the rest of the half. WNMU went back ahead by three on a pair of foul shots by Loucks at the 6:13 mark, but WSCU would come back to tie and take the lead into halftime at 28-26.

Loucks had a solid first 20 minutes going for 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting. Castrillo added six. Mason Biddle led WSCU in the first half with seven points, as the Mountaineers connected on six three-pointers. In addition to the points off turnovers, WNMU also had the edge in points in the paint (10-6) and second-chance (8-2).

WNMU came out strong to open the second half, just like the start of the game taking a three-point lead just over three minutes in on a three-pointer by Gavin Wood (Florence, AZ/Florence ). The teams would then trade leads before a Scott three-pointer lifted the Mustangs back in front by three, 42-39.

WSCU then went on a 7-0 run to take a lead they wouldn’t relinquish down the stretch. WNMU fought back to within two a couple of times with the last coming at the 6:15 mark off free throws by Tyler Shea (Rancho Cucamunga, CA/Alta Loma). But, just like earlier in the half, the Mountaineers responded with a 6-0 run.

Scott helped get WNMU as close as three in the closing minutes with a three-point-play, but the Mountaineers were able to connect on foul shots for the victory.

WSCU ended up making 22-of-49 (44.9) from the field including a 9-of-22 (40.9) effort from three. WNMU made 21-of-59 (35.6) that included a 7-of-24 (29.2) effort from long range. WSCU held a 13-9 edge on free throws.

Scott and Loucks led WNMU and all-scorers going for 20 points. Each made seven field goals. Loucks added nine rebounds, while Scott dished out five assists.
Devin Kastrup led four Mountaineers in double-figures going for 16 points.

WNMU will return to action Saturday night at home against Colorado Mesa University beginning at 7:30 p.m.