Silver City, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University men’s basketball team were unable to answer in the second half as they fell short against in-state rivals New Mexico Highlands University, 77-70, last Friday night.
It was a nearly even match at halftime with the score knotted up at 31 apiece, but Cowboys fought hard in the second half to outscore the Mustangs 46-39.
NMHU held the advantage against WNMU in field goal percentage (37 to 36) and in three point percentage (38 to 11), but were outgained in free throw percentage (71 to 60) and in points in the paint (32 t0 24).
For the Mustangs, Jordan Enriquez led the team with 21 points followed by Eddie Giron and Latrell Spivey with 15 each. Spivey also posted 14 total rebounds, giving him a double-double for the night.
New Mexico Highlands’ James Healy had an outstanding performance as he brought in 27 points. Marlon Johnson earned himself a double-double as he attained 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Five minutes into the first half, NMHU took an early 10-4 lead but would diminish at 8:44 as Enriquez hit a jumper to put WNMU in lead, 16-15. Later, Brandon Williams drilled a three pointer that pushed their lead to five, 21-16. With a Mustang one-point lead, 23-22, two jumpers by Spivey enhanced the lead to five, 27-22. The Cowboys would fight strong in the closing minutes of the second half as they were able to tie the game up at 31.
WNMU jumped out to an early lead in the starting minutes of the second half, as Spivey connected on a jumper while Enriquez found two successful free throw attempts, putting the Mustangs on top 35-31. NMHU climbed back a few possession later and would eventually take the lead, 44-42, after hitting a three pointer with 13 minutes remaining in the game. Momentum carried on after that as the Cowboys added on five more points, making the score 49-42. With 9:21 remaining, the Mustangs cut the deficit to four, 52-48, thanks to a Giron jumper in the paint. The Cowboys responded well as they went on a 12-3 run to make the score 64-51.
WNMU would not go away in the final minutes of the game as Willie McCray converted on a layup that brought them within five, 71-66, with 57 seconds remaining. Enriquez later earned himself a trip to the free throw line and made both attempts that made the score, 71-68. This would be as close as they came as New Mexico Highlands went on to take the victory, 77-70.
Mustangs next challenge will be an away rematch against New Mexico Highlands Tuesday, Nov. 29 with the game beginning at 7 p.m.
