Eastern New Mexico Men's Basketball | 01.23.16 | David Norton, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications

CANYON, TEXAS — Ladarius Stewart poured in 24 points in Eastern New Mexico's 97-64 loss to rival West Texas A&M Saturday, showing a bright future for the Hounds despite their slow start to Lone Star Conference play. 

ENMU (5-14, 1-6 LSC) held a 4-0 lead in the opening minutes of play, with both teams struggling to score out of the gates.  It wouldn't take the Buffs (17-7, 5-3 LSC) long to come back and then some, hitting four straight 3-pointers to take a double digit lead that would only grow.

Stewart led the Hounds with his 24 point night, but the freshman also had a team high seven rebounds.  No other Greyhound scored in double digits.

On the night Eastern shot 40 percent from the floor while going 24 percent from beyond the arc, hitting only five 3-pointers.  The Buffs on the other hand hit a scorching 52 percent from deep along with 54 percent of their field goals.

Leading the Buffs was David Chavlovich, former LSC Freshman of the Year, who poured in 25 points.  WT had three other players in double digits, with Jordan Evans scoring 19.

Eastern also struggled from the free-throw line, going 7-20 compared to the Buffs 20-28.  The contest was a far cry from the win over Texas A&M-Commerce of a week ago for the Hounds, who will look to bounce back against Texas A&M-Kingsville at home in Portales on Wednesday.  Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.