Saturday, February 28, 2015

CANYON, TEXAS— The Eastern New Mexico men's basketball team (7-20, 0-14 LSC) fell 96-86 Saturday against fifth place West Texas A&M (17-11, 7-7) LSC in the final game of the Lone Star Conference regular season.

Four Greyhounds scored in double digits, led by John Gilliam (Jr., San Bernardino, Calif. / Upland HS/ Chaffey College) with 19 points.  Michael Randle (Sr., Houston, Texas / James Madison HS / Paris Junior College), Chris Wyms (Jr., Carson, Calif. / King Drew Medical Magnet HS / Cerritos College) and Seth Bailey (Sr., Texico, N.M. / Texico HS) scored 16, 13, and 11 points, respectively.

The Greyhounds continued their improved shooting performance as of late, shooting 47.8 percent from the floor and 44.4 percent from behind the arc.  Eastern also shot a high percentage from the free throw line, going 14-of-17 or 82.4 percent.

Eastern also out rebounded the Buffaloes, 41-35.  West Texas got to the charity stripe more often though, making the difference at the line.  The Buffaloes shot 48 free throws Saturday and while they only shot just over 50 percent, the additional 11 points in free throws made the difference.

The greyhounds kept the game within six in the first have, but could never make up enough ground to overtake the Buffaloes.  With just under seven minutes left in the final period, the Greyhounds managed to bring the game back to double digits, trailing by seven.  A run from West Texas put an end to that though and Eastern never got back to single digits.

Eastern will head to the LSC tournament Wednesday, March 4 where they have been seeded No. 8.