Portales, N.M - Eastern New Mexico Mens Basketball gear up for their first home game of the season as Wayland Baptist visits the Greyhound Arena this Saturday, December 7th. Tip off is set for 7:00 p.m.

LAST WEEK

The Greyhounds spent the Thanksgiving holiday in Denver, Colorado where they faced both Metro State University and Regis University. In their first matchup of the weekend, the Hounds struggled to match the scoring capabilities of MSU, falling 82-50.The Hounds took control of their next game, against Regis University, taking a 39-35 lead into halftime shooting 78.3 percent from the free throw line. ENMU continued their lead throughout the second half of play down to the last five minutes where Regis University took control of the game after getting four Hounds into foul trouble. Gerrick Sherrod played his best game of the season and career scoring 17 points in 21 minutes of play. Sherrod shot 100% from the line making nine from the free throw line alone. Darius Sawyer ended the game with his best shooting percentage from the field, 75%, and continues to hold a spot in the top five of the LSC for free-throws.

SCOUTING THE COMPETITION

Head coach Ty Harrelson led the 2018-19 Pioneers to their first-ever Sooner Athletic Conference Championship with a 24-8 record. The Pioneers lost to Arizona Christian University 81-73 in the first round of the NAIA Division 1 Men's Basketball National Championship. Pioneers took a 49 point win in their season opening game with help from J.J Culver who scored 34 points. 

J.J Culver, a senior out of Lubbock, Texas, has been impressive so far this season scoring over 30 points in five games. Culver leads the Pioneers in almost every category including points scored, field goal percentage, and three-point percentage. Culver also leads the conference in scoring, averaging 28.13 ppg. Another impressive Pioneer, CJ Obinwa, saw his best game of the season against Waldorf this past November where he scored 22 points with a 83.3 free-throw percentage. Wayland Baptist welcomes three freshmen as well as three college transfers to the team. Freshman transfer Payton Havens has played in all eight games this season, and leads the team in assists totaling 29.

NEWCOMER MADNESS

Yosnier Cobas, a 6'7 junior from Florida, leads the Hounds in rebounding with 33 this season so far. Cobas also leads the Hounds with his 59.1 field goal percentage making 13 out of 22 this season. Jose Serrano, holds the second place spot for the Hounds in points scored making 45 this season averaging nine a game. Serrano also is dominate on the glass with 20 rebounds in five games. Marvin Mapaga, the junior from Africa, is becoming a great addition to the Greyhounds averaging a 71.4 free throw percentage making 10-14 from the line. Mapaga has also recorded 14 rebounds while averaging 17 minutes a game. 

LEADING THE HOUNDS

Returning Greyhound Devin Pullum started off the season leading the Hounds and reaching a couple top five spots in the LSC. Pullum currently leads the Hounds in scoring (58 points), in minutes played (146 min), and in assists with 16 for the season. New Hound, Yosnier Cobas leads the Hounds in rebounding dominating the glass totaling 33 rebounds in the five games he has played as a Hound. Cobas also has a top five spot in the LSC conference for blocked shots recording five in four games played. Returning senior, Deng Kuany leads the Hounds in free-throw percentage sitting at 100% for the season.  Garrick Sherrod, a returning junior, is averaging 6.8 free-throws a game going 16-18 this season. Darius Sawyer is not only a top contender for the Hounds when it comes to free-throw percentage, but is ranked Number 4 in the LSC going 11-12 in four games played making his percentage a 91.7.

SO FAR THIS SEASON

The Hounds struggled at the start of the 2019-20 season. Falling in the first two opening exhibition games. Starting their regular season at the LSC/RMAC Conference Challenge in Durango Colo, their first game against New Mexico Highlands proved to be a battle between the two teams ending in a loss. Despite a late comeback effort in their second contest the Hounds lost 90-85 to Fort Lewis. 
In their first conference matchup the Hounds visited rival West Texas A&M. Falling behind in the first the Hounds were unable to recover and create scoring plays. The Hounds lost the matchup 93-78. Last Saturday the Hounds saw their best start this season against Regis University. Taking a led into halftime the Hounds were able to continue leading in the contest until the last five minutes of play.