WICHITA FALLS, Texas – The Eastern New Mexico University men's basketball team survived a late-surge by Midwestern State to hang on for a 72-69 win on the road over the Mustangs. Thursday marked the first time the Greyhounds have won on the road against MSU since Jan. 25, 2007. The Green and Silver improve to 11-14 overall and 5-10 in Lone Star Conference action following the win.
 
Among other notable records, Eastern won its third-straight LSC game since the 2014 team also won three-straight. The 11 wins this season by the Greyhounds are also the most since the 2013-14 campaign when ENMU went 14-13.
 
"When I came to Eastern New Mexico, I came with the belief that we could really do some big things and some great things to represent the town and the University," Segler said. "I think tonight was one of those touchstones. Coming into a place like Midwestern that's been a perennial powerhouse and win a hard game on the road. There was a ton of adversity we had to fight through as a team. We found a way to win. To finish with the defensive effort that we did, that's the way I want to win. That's the stamp I want to put on this program. This is a historic win for us. It keeps our tournament hopes alive and those dreams are starting to become more and more of a reality."
 
Junior forward Chris Lewis dominated in the paint all night for the Green and Silver, picking up 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting. The Philadelphia, Pa., native added seven points at the charity stripe and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. Junior guard Joe Clarke picked up 15 points and also grabbed eight rebounds while distributing four assists.
 
"These kids never stopped; they never quit. They believed in each other the whole time. I put Andre Hughes in at one point off the bench and he came up with two of the biggest stops of the night. Chris Wyms had an unreal block at the end of the game. It was just those individual efforts that contributed to our win. I talked a lot about Igor Ibaka and the performance he had against us the last time. I watched Chris Lewis' body language and I didn't want to beat him down, but I wanted to challenge him to be the leader I know he can be. I think he proved that he's one of the great big-men in the Lone Star."
 
Even with Midwestern gaining a one-point lead with 1:32 to go, the Greyhounds never backed down from the challenge. Wyms stuffed a shot attempt with 41 seconds left that would have given the Mustangs a three-point lead before a timeout by ENMU. Out of the break, junior guard Lamarquis Thompson knocked down a jumper from the baseline with 23 seconds to go to take the lead for good. On the defensive end, Lewis pulled down a rebound and knocked down both free throws to help lock up the win.
 
"I want to say thank you to all the family and friends that came out," Segler added. "We had a huge crowd wearing green tonight. All those friends and family made it really special for me. After the win, to look up and see them cheering meant the world to me. The sea of green was pretty special to see."
 
The Greyhounds return to the court on Saturday, Feb. 18 against Cameron. Tipoff is slated for 3 p.m. against the Aggies in Lawton. For the latest news on all ENMU athletics, visit GoEasternAthletics.com.