LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico men's basketball won its first game of the 2022-23 season in a dominant fashion against in-state foe, New Mexico Highlands. The 85-63 win was highlighted by great shooting and tight defense from the Hounds.

"I learned so much about our team this weekend and what I've learned has me very excited for the direction we are heading as a program," said head coach Brent Owen. "We felt we had recruited a tough, unselfish group, but you never know until you experience adversity together."

ENMU was coming off a heartbreaking loss to Fort Lewis College one day prior, but rebounded and took home the win against the Cowboys.

NMHU held the early advantage over the first ten minutes of the game, but four fields made between Jose Murillo, Dwayne Chester III, and Błaźej Czerniewicz gave the Greyhounds a 21-14 advantage. Before the half ended, Grehlon Easter scored the team's final seven points to help ENMU grab a 32-26 lead at the intermission.

"I loved the mentality that we brought into today's game after a heartbreaker of a loss yesterday," said Owen. "We defended our tails off today and on the other end of the floor we played smart and played together with 19 assists and only eight turnovers against a team that presses full court constantly."

The second stanza began with the Hounds and Cowboys trading buckets, but Owen did not see the energy he wanted from his team. So, he made a decision.

"Near the beginning of the second half I was not pleased with our defensive effort and called a timeout," said Owen on the situation. "That timeout was the first time I really challenged them verbally."

They listened and responded. The Cowboys defense did not slow down Eastern as they used runs of 8-0, 6-0, and 8-0 to hold the advantage throughout the final half of the contest. Eight of the Hounds three-point makes came in the second half.

Owen saw the timeout early in the second half as a key moment in the Hounds nonconference victory. He say, "a group that responds to adversity is a group that our fans can rally around."

Errol White led all scorers with 20 points and three other Hounds joined him in double figures: Jose Murillo (18 pts), Grehlon Easter (16 pts), and Błaźej Czerniewicz (12 pts). Almost 50% of the team's points came off the bench as ENMU finished with 41 of its 85 from nonstarters.

The Greyhounds also controlled the rebounding battle, 33-25, including 15 offensive rebounds. White finished the night with his first double-double as a Hound with 20 points and 11 rebounds. He also added a team-high three steals.

Eastern will open the home slate with a 11 a.m. tip-off against Navajo Tech Thursday morning for Youth Day. All games will be broadcast on the Lone Star Conference Digital Network or called by Doc Elder on KSEL Country 105.9.