ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Eastern New Mexico University men's basketball team fought off a feisty New Mexico Highlands squad with a 66-61 victory. The Hounds improve to 2-0 for just the second time since the 2003-04 season. The Green and Silver were all over the Cowboys from the tip, leading for nearly 38 minutes in the game.
 
"This game was decided by physicality and rebounding," ENMU Head Coach Tres Segler said. "I was incredibly proud of how our guys blocked out, and we grabbed some huge rebounds down the stretch that won us the game. New Mexico Highlands has some great scorers and Coach Snow puts them in positions to make plays. Our guys trusted each other and played great team defense to get big stops. This is a huge team win for us. These guys believe in each other and I see their joy for one another when we compete."
 
Facing off against his former teammate, Arcaim Lallemand made the most of the opportunity. Lallemand finished with a game-high 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting and 5-of-5 from the free throw line while grabbing nine rebounds and distributing one assist.
 
"Arcaim was incredible tonight," Segler said on his 6-6 forward. "He is a guy we all believe in, and I was so happy to watch him believe more in his own offensive abilities."
 
Coming off knocking down a game-winner the night before, Lamarquis Thompson showed no signs of letting up against Highlands. The senior put up 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting and grabbed five caroms in 30 minutes of play.
 
Nick Brown and Maurice Coleman made strong contributions in the backcourt. The duo combined for 22 points, eight rebounds and an assist to spark the team.
 
"Nick gave us a huge offensive spark and Lamarquis was solid again for us," Segler added. "I thought Maurice guarded much smarter tonight and it set the tone for our defensive stands. Shawn's [Shelton] two free throws at the end were huge. He stepped up in a huge moment and lead like a true senior."
 
The Hounds took a 32-25 lead into the locker room at the half. Eastern dominated from the beginning, leading for 18:14 of the 20-minute period and shot 43% from the court. Lallemand wreaked havoc on the offensive end. The Naples, Fla., product scored 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting and going 3-for-3 from the charity stripe. Additionally, Lallemand grabbed four boards and dished out an assist in the opening period for the Hounds.
 
Thompson led the charge in the second half for the Green and Silver. The senior had nine points, two rebounds, an assist and a steal. Lallemand cooled off from the field after the intermission, but was dominant on the post, grabbing five rebounds.
 
With 1:26 to play, D.J. Bustos hit a three to cut the score to 60-59. After grabbing an offensive rebound, Jamani Pierce went 1-of-2 from the line to move the score to 61-59. NMHU grabbed the rebound, but Lallemand was quickly able to steal the ball away. Both teams would exchange trips to the free throw line before ENMU called a timeout with 23 seconds and a 62-61 lead. With the Cowboys fouling immediately out of the timeout, Shawn Shelton converted on both his free throw attempts to move to a perfect 4-for-4 on the night and give the Hounds a three-point edge. Following a missed three pointer, Lallemand put the game on ice with a pair of free throws, giving the Hounds a 66-61 victory.
 
"Coach [Tyler] Wayman did a great job with a short turnaround on the scout," Segler closed. "He had our guys prepared to win and that made the difference."
 
The Hounds head to Monmouth, Ore., this week to take on Dixie State and Azusa Pacific. Tipoff in both matches is slated for 6 p.m. For the latest news on ENMU Athletics, follow @ENMU_Hoops and @ENMUAthletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit GoEasternAthletics.com.