LAREDO, TEXAS – Eastern New Mexico men's basketball team saw another close second half as they fell to Texas A&M-International 76-71 in only the fourth matchup between the two teams in conference history.
Struggling in the first half, the Hounds finished the contest outshooting the Dustdevils from beyond the arch with a 40.9 percent. Isaiah Murphy and Devin Pullum both recorded 20 points as the Hounds fought hard in the second half of the contest.
By the start of the second half, Garrick Sherrod dished out an assist to Deng Kuany who put up two points that took the Hounds on a 22-8 point run. Their former 14 point deficit at the end of the first was demolished as the Hounds tied up the contest 44-44 after a three-pointer from Yosnier Cobas. The Greyhounds continued their action from beyond the arc shooting a 61.5 percent connecting on 8-13 three-pointers.
As the Hounds offensive became a force tying the contest four more times, so did the defense out-rebounding the Dustdevils 18-14.
With two minutes left on the clock, Ibn Zaid caught up with Devin Pullum as Zaid handled the assist giving Pullum an easy three-point shot. Down by five, Deng Kuany grabbed two defensive rebounds while a pair of free-throws from Devin Pullum, brought the Hounds within three with just over a minute to play. Ten seconds left on the clock, senior Isaiah Murphy let a go a deep three-pointer rounding out his game total to 20 points.
6'5 Arizona native, Isaiah Murphy scored a Hound career high 20 points. Murphy recorded a season high 17 points during the 2018-19 season as a junior. Murphy also recorded two blocked shots, six rebounds and four assists for the night.
Junior guard Devin Pullum also scored 20 points., making it the fifth game this season that Pullum has scored 20 or more points.
The Greyhounds will continue on the road as they head to Kingsville, Texas for a 3:00 pm game this Saturday, Jan. 25th against Texas A&M-Kingsville.