ENMU Athletics
Jose Montoya
PORTALES – It took 39:40 for the nation’s leader in steals to get his first of the night and it was crucial in keeping Eastern New Mexico men’s basketball in a tightly contested battle versus No. 2 West Texas A&M.
On an inbounds play with 19 seconds remaining, Cooper Jackson got his first steal of the contest to set up senior Mario Whitley for a game-tying three point make. The shot forced the opening game of Lone Star Conference play to go into overtime at Steve Loy Family Foundation Arena.
The visiting Buffs managed to extend their lead by as many as seven points in the overtime period, which helped them secure the 99-95 win over the upset-lurking Hounds.
“Effort was awesome today,” said head coach Daven Võ after the contest. “Our guys did everything we asked them to do.”
The loss brings Eastern New Mexico to 3-2 (0-1 LSC).
WT showed why they are ranked number two in the country early in the contest as they used a 23-4 stretch to take a 26-13 lead over the first seven minutes of the matchup. One of the reasons they did so was due to making five three’s over the time span.
The matchup would stay in a similar position as the Buffs took their biggest lead of the afternoon, 37-23, with 6:24 remaining in the first half. Just before the intermission period, ENMU found themselves within seven points, 43-36.
“The whole second half was like the end of the game,” said Võ when asked about the tightness of the game.
Võ’s statements are accurate as ENMU bolted out of the locker room and put on a showing in the opening minutes of the half. The Greyhounds started on a 9-0 run to begin the half, which gave them a 45-43 lead with just under 18 minutes remaining in the game.
Eastern would not give up the lead until three minutes later when WT hit back-to-back three-point shots. ENMU would continue fighting for the advantage over the next couple minutes and take a 61-55 lead with just over ten minutes left in the contest.
Despite holding a 61-55 lead, the Buffs made it difficult for the Hounds to stay in control. WT regained the lead a minute later after a pair of turnovers from Cougar Downing and Cooper Jackson. No team would cause major separation as the score stayed within four points the rest of the half.
With two minutes remaining, West Texas A&M took a three-point lead on a deep shot from Amir McMillian. ENMU got a quick layup from Cooper Jackson and the aforementioned steal. After the stop from Jackson, Whitley stood all alone near the corner and found a way to tie the game at 82-all with a three-point basket.
WT got off to a blazing start in the overtime period as they scored the first six points. Eastern would force the Buffs to shoot free throws the rest of the extra period, which gave the visitors the ultimate edge.
Whitley had his third double-double of the season as he picked up 21 points and 15 rebounds on 9-of-15 shooting from the floor. Treyvon Byrd nearly had a double-double of his own with 13 points and nine rebounds. Starters Cougar Downing and Jose Murillo both had a dozen points. Murillo continues to be effective shooting the ball as he went 5-of-7 today.
Cooper Jackson and Jaden Clarke both played 30+ minutes off the bench for ENMU. Jackson had 16 points with three assists. Clarke connected for nine points and eight rebounds.
Next up for Eastern New Mexico is a 12 p.m. matchup against Justice College on November 30.