PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico men's basketball remains undefeated at home as they won their eighth game at Greyhound Arena this season with a disciplined team victory, 56-51, over Texas A&M International.
"It feels great to be back home and have the students back," said head coach
Brent Owen after the team's Thursday night performance. "I think they made a huge impact on our energy defensively and it's so important for us to keep winning at home with how close the Lone Star Conference race is."
A 6-0 run at the beginning of the contest kept the Hounds ahead for all of the game after holding a 2-2 tie game with 16:29 to go in the first half.
Eastern pulled ahead by 11 points at two different moments before the halftime intermission. ENMU kept charging forward with a coast-to-coast slam dunk by
Errol White and a buzzer-beater shot from near the foul line by
Greg Johnson.
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At the break, the Greyhounds held a 31-21 advantage.
"We knew we had to come back after the road stint and establish ourselves at home," said
Malique Oates after the match. "I feel like our defense was there the whole game."
Eastern controlled most of the second half and found themselves with a 15-point lead with just two minutes remaining after a testy steal and fast-break slam from
Jahcoree Ealy.
The team held on at the end and finished the night with its ninth-straight win in Portales dating back to last season.
A large crowd came to support the program and provided an environment that made it difficult for the Dustdevils to find rhythm offensively.
"It was amazing having them back out there. Having the fraternity supporting us and the student section made it a great environment to play in," said Oates on the crowd. "They really helped us get that W."
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Ealy led all scorers with 16 points and added five rebounds. Joining him in double figures was
Errol White who posted 11 points and a team-high seven rebounds.
ENMU controlled the paint as they outscored TAMIU, 34-22. Eastern also forced one more turnover than the Dustdevils did, 16-15.
Texas A&M International shot 17-for-54 (31.5%) from the floor, including just 28% in the first half alone.
Fans are encouraged to come out Saturday afternoon and make the environment even better than tonight as the top school in the East Division of the LSC, Texas A&M-Kingsville, takes a visit to Portales. The game is set for 3 p.m. and all fans wearing a Cowboy Hat will receive free entry.