PORTALES, N.M. – The Eastern New Mexico University men's basketball team pulled away late with an 83-77 victory over Western New Mexico on Tuesday evening in Greyhound Arena. With the win, Eastern earns its 10^th-victory of the season to move to 10-14 overall and 4-10 in Lone Star Conference play. It marks the first time ENMU has won back-to-back LSC games since the 2013-14 team won three straight from Jan. 15-22.
 
"I thought we had a great crowd tonight," ENMU Head Coach Tres Segler said. "I want to thank all those people that came and were a part of the win. Between the pep band, cheerleaders and the crowd, you felt that power behind our back to help us win. Any time you can have that, it's special."
 
"We knew coming into this game that Western New Mexico was going to be ready to play and compete. The game at their place was a tough fought game both ways. It was very clear coach Enriquez had those guys ready to go. I was proud of my team for settling into the game. We never faltered in our resolve to finish."
 
The Greyhounds put three players in double-figures, led by Joe Clarke with 18 and Lamarquis Thompson with 17. Senior guard Javaan Mumtaz also added 10 points. Forwards Chris Lewis and Arcaim Lallemand pulled down seven and six rebounds, respectively to lead the 'Hounds. Guard Chris Wyms distributed three assists in the winning effort.
 
"Chris Wyms wasn't feeling well tonight and played some huge minutes," Segler added. "Byrale Carter and Chris both did an outstanding job; we only had 10 turnovers. That is huge in a game like this. Joe and Lamarquis have been very consistent with the scoring they're giving us. We got a lot of effort from a lot of people. Chris Lewis and Chaunce both had some mission-critical rebounds. Andre Hughes started both halves with some big-time jumpers that got us in a flow. Shawn Shelton did a lot of intangible things. Arcaim had some big lobs against the zone to really get the crowd going."
 
After the first half, Eastern was able to run the Mustangs off the three-point line. WNMU knocked down eight shots from beyond the arc, going 62% from deep. ENMU buckled down defensively after the intermission, limiting Western to just 40%. The 'Hounds also tallied six blocks in the second half, including four from Chaunce Hill in six minutes of action. Additionally, the Green and Silver went eight-straight possessions on the defensive end without surrendering a field goal from the 2:26 mark in the first half to the first minute of the second.
 
"I didn't do a great job of preparing us for the four-out ball-screen they were running," Segler said on the second half adjustment. "Instead of making a big adjustment, everyone just tightened down on their assignment. We just didn't let those guys get into a rhythm. You have to give credit to their shooters; Emery Range did a great job of coming out and knocking down a pair of threes. Alex Gonzalez did the same thing and gave them some big shots in some big moments. As Western's program grows, they'll be able to make a run just like we've made a run. I really respect what they do. Moving forward, I think it's clear the state of New Mexico is going to be difficult to play in the Lone Star."
 
Down the stretch, the Greyhounds limited Western to just one field goal in the final 3:50 of the contest to clinch the win. Of the Mustangs final eight possessions, ENMU allowed just two field goal and held WNMU to under 40% on the game.
 
"I had a lot of personal goals for our team and 10 wins was one of them," the first year head coach added. "That's a big one that we knocked down tonight. I want these guys to understand that it's historic what we're doing. All of us want to be 24-0 and undefeated in the league right now, but we are making a historic push."
 
Eastern returns to the court on Thursday, Feb. 16, in Segler's first return to Wichita Falls since being named the ENMU Head Coach. Tipoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. against the Mustangs. For the latest news, follow @ENMUAthletics and @ENMU_Hoops on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and visit goeasternathletics.com.