COMMERCE, Texas – The Eastern New Mexico University men's basketball team held on for a 72-65 victory over Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Greyhounds improve to 9-14 overall and 3-10 in Lone Star Conference action.
 
"I was really proud of our offensive effort t in the first half," ENMU Head Coach Tres Segler said. "Multiple guys contributed. Chris Lewis had an awesome first half. Defensively, we really disrupted all their set plays. I was proud at our hustle plays that could've gone either way."
 
Lamarquis Thompson, Chris Wyms and Chris Lewis all finished with 13 points while Joe Clarke added 12. Lewis and Clarke each just missed a double-double. The Philadelphia, Pa., native finished with a team-high nine rebounds and Clarke pulled down eight. Wyms dished out four of the team's 14 dimes to set up the offense.
 
The Greyhounds carried a 40-21 lead into the locker room after shooting 50% from the floor, going 15-of-30. Eastern also went 50% from beyond the arc, knocking down 4-of-8 shots from deep. Chris Lewis was a force to be reckoned with in the paint in the opening period, picking up 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting with five rebounds. Lamarquis Thompson and Joe Clarke each had three assists in the first half while scoring six and nine, respectively.
 
The defense for the Green and Silver hounded the Lions offense for most the first half, holding Commerce to just 33% from the field and 8% from beyond the arc. ENMU put together a pair of 5+ minute stretches, holding TAMUC without a field goal, including shutting out the Lions over the final 5:27 of the half.
 
In the second half, Eastern did just enough on the offensive end to hold on to secure the win. After relinquishing the lead with just over a minute to play, Wyms found a wide-open Clarke following the rebound and the New Rochelle, NY, native finished with a flourish to regain the lead for good. Wyms knocked down four free throws in the final minute to finish with 13.
 
"In the second half, Commerce did a great job of pressuring us in the full-court," Segler added. "I was really impressed with how our senior leaders pushed us through the adversity of them coming back. Chris Wyms gave us a huge basket to put us up one with about two minutes to go. Lamarquis followed with a beautiful three and Joe knocked down a jump shot to seal the game."
 
"Our continued improvement and playing as a family is the driving force behind our success right now. I can't wait to see them continue to get better."
 
Eastern returns to the court on Tuesday, Feb. 7, to take on in-state rival, Western New Mexico. Tipoff against the Mustangs is slated for 7:30 p.m. For the latest news, follow @ENMUAthletics and @ENMU_Hoops on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and visit goeasternathletics.com.