COMMERCE, TX – Eastern New Mexico men's basketball team took a first half lead but caught foul trouble in the final seconds of play falling the to Texas A&M-Commerce Lions, 80-75.
The Hounds turned up the defensive dial pushing the Lions to 25 turnovers and 13 offensive rebounds for the contest.
Devin Pullum got hot from beyond the arc adding five three-pointers to his total of 20 points for the night.
Yosnier Cobas stayed away from the three-point line, keeping his 13 points to the field and charity strip.
Four first half ties kept the contest close as the Hounds pushed the Lions offense into turnovers.
Mathew Mazique started the stream of fast-break points cutting the Hounds seven-point trail to five. The Hounds continued to add pressure on defense forcing 24 turnovers and taking 13 points off fast-break layups in the first half.
With a seven-point lead
Deng Kuany put up a layup to get the second half started for the Hounds.
Yosnier Cobas gave the Hounds an 11-point led with a dunk after a Lions offensive rebound. Back to back deep threes from
Devin Pullum took the Hounds to a 52-46 lead with 9:30 left on the clock.
Pushing a full court press, Pullum stayed glued to his man as the Lions tried for another offensive play. The pressure of the Hound defensive forced another Lion turnover giving the ball back to
Garrick Sherrod. A bounce pass from Sherrod to
Jose Serrano in the paint, and the junior drew the foul going up for two. Two easy shots later and the Hounds continued their led.
Four minutes on the clock, down by one,
Isaiah Murphy drove to the basket putting the Hounds back up on top. The Lions succeeded in tying up the contest for fifteen seconds as
Deng Kuany drew a foul under the basket giving the Hounds a one point led. Under a minute to play, Pullum snatched a quick pass from Murphy and downed a three from the corner pulling the Hounds to six points to the Lions. Back in the left corner, Pullum let the ball go recording his fifth three-pointer for the night. Pullum would try again, drawing a foul, but the Hounds had lost time on the clock for another comeback.
The Greyhounds will continue on the road for a Saturday afternoon game against UT Tyler in Tyler, TX. The Hounds and Patriots will tip off at 3:00 p.m. MST.