Sunday, January 11, 2015
                                                                                                                
PORTALES, N.M. — Junior guard John Gilliam (San Bernardino, Calif./Upland HS/Chaffey College) poured in a team-best 19 points, but the Eastern New Mexico University men's basketball team (7-8; LSC 0-2) dropped a 77-42 decision in Sunday's Lone Star Conference game against Midwestern State (14-3; LSC 3-0) at Greyhound Arena. Gilliam has scored at least 19 points in each of the last four games.
 
Gilliam hit a three-point bucket with 16:12 left in the opening half, to give the Hounds their only lead of the game, 7-6. The Mustangs answered with a 6-0 run, to stretch their advantage to 12-7, but ENMU managed to pull within three points on four occasions. The last time came on a pair of Gilliam free throws with 5:27 left in the period, to trim Eastern's deficit to 21-18.
 
Khapri Austin hit back-to-back jumpers to ignite an 8-0 MSU run, which expanded the Mustangs' advantage to 11 points, with 3:07 on the clock. Gilliam followed with a three-point play with 2:36 left in the half to pull the Hounds to within 29-21, but Eastern could come no closer as Midwestern State pulled away for the win.
 
The Mustangs capitalized on a positive turnover differential to hold a 23-9 edge in points off turnovers. MSU also held a 50.9-22.6 advantage in shooting percentage. Demetrius Balark Jr., G, Glendale, Ariz./Cochise College) scored seven points for ENMU, while Iyke Akajiobi (Sr., F, Los Angeles, Calif./La Habra HS/Cerritos HS) finished with five rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Xavier Blackburn paced five MSU players in double figures with 14 points, three assists and three steals, while Abiodun Adegoke added 13 points and 12 rebounds.
 
The Eastern New Mexico University men's basketball team will host Texas A&M-Kingsville on Wednesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. MT.