PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico men's basketball is back in Portales for a pair of games on both sides of the upcoming year. The Hounds close out 2022 on Dec. 30th when the team welcomes UT Permian Basin to Greyhound Arena at 7:30 p.m. On New Year's Day (Jan. 1), ENMU brings in Angelo State, who is undefeated in Lone Star Conference action, for a matchup at 3 p.m.
All fans are asked to donate to our clothing drive. Those who bring an item will receive admission into both contests against the Falcons and the Rams. The north entrance will be closed and attendees are asked to come into the arena from the south side.
Before Eastern kicks off the weekend celebrations, please take a look at the Starting Five:
1.) ALL I DO IS WIN: And the hands go UP! ENMU bolted past No. 19 UT Tyler and DBU last time the Greyhounds took the floor before the holiday break. The Hounds earned their first win over a top-20 foe since the 2017-18 season after a convincing 68-45 contest over the visitors from Tyler, Texas. Eastern made it back-to-back wins after beating DBU in a toe-to-toe, 73-63, battle.
2.) ENTERTAINING ERROL: After the two victories, the Lone Star Conference recognized
Errol White as the Defensive Player of the Week. The sophomore from New York is stepping up in big ways for the Hounds this season as he is averaging 12.3 points, 9.4 rebounds (1st in LSC), and 2.1 steals per game. The forward has also posted four double doubles this season, including an 11 point and ten rebound night against DBU.
3.) BOX OUT KNOCKOUT: The Greyhounds controlled the glass against UT Tyler and DBU as they totaled 105 rebounds over the two games. Five players averaged at least five or more boards over the two matches. White led the program with 9.0 rpg. His teammates
Błażej Czerniewicz (7.5 rpg),
Jahcoree Ealy (7.0 rpg),
Eze Dike (6.0 rpg), and
Jose Murillo (5.0 rpg) followed behind. The Hounds came up one rebound shy from posting a top-10 single game program record for most rebounds as they pulled in 53 against UT Tyler.
4.) EASY AS EALY: Junior wing,
Jahcoree Ealy soared in both games two weeks ago as he shot 11-for-16 from the floor for 27 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists. He hit a season-high mark in points in back-to-back games and garnered his first double-double as a Hound with 14 points and 12 rebounds against DBU. The amazing part? He did all of this off the bench for ENMU.
5.) HISTORY LESSON: UTPB leads the overall series with Eastern, 7-4. However, the Greyhounds have won three of the last four against the visitors from Odessa, including the last two when played in Portales. Three of the program's wins have come by six or less points. The Rams and the Hounds have a little more knowledge of each other as ASU leads the all-time matchup, 45-35. When the game is played at Greyhound Arena, the series is deadlocked at 19-19. Angelo State has won the last three meetings between the programs so a victory for Eastern New Mexico will solidify the first win since an 83-71 victory in Portales (2/16/19).
