PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico men's basketball is back at Greyhound Arena this week for a pair of matchups versus west division foes, Cameron and Midwestern State. Before the Hounds get rolling Thursday and Saturday, please take a look at the Starting Five:

1.) A Single Possession – The Greyhounds lost both games this past weekend on the road by a single possession. The first game against UT Permian Basin saw both teams trade buckets, but the Falcons double digit (10 pts) first half lead proved to be the difference maker. Eastern managed to bring the game within three points at the intermission, but could not maintain a lead as the only advantage they held in the second half lasted six seconds. A late opportunity for a half court shot was unsuccessful as UTPB forced a turnover to win the game. Against No. 11 Angelo State, the Rams were the dominant team. They held the lead by as many as 18 points with 2:40 remaining in the game. Despite the deficit, ENMU managed to get within three points with just 30 seconds remaining. The team was unable to finish out the historic comeback as a traveling violation and missed half court proved to be the last two opportunities in the closing seconds.

2.) Efficiency Matters – One of the most efficient players for Eastern New Mexico is Jahcoree Ealy. The senior wing is connecting on 93-of-149 (62.4%) of his shots from the floor. He also hit a career-high 4-of-6 from behind the arc. The mark is the most three's he has made in a single game at ENMU and the six attempts are the most he has taken for the Hounds. Ealy averages 3.8 rebounds per game along with adding 33 assists and giving up just 21 turnovers. He plays a team-best 30.9 minutes per game and has started in 11 of 12 contests.

3.) Donations Accepted – It's all charity for Eastern New Mexico as the program leads the LSC in free throw attempts (25.1) and makes (18.0) per game this season. One of the most consistent shooters for the Greyhounds is Greg Johnson as he makes 83.3% of his free throw attempts. Over the weekend, went 36-for-52 from the charity stripe. The 33 attempts versus UT Permian Basin is a team-high this season and the most since the team traveled to West Texas A&M during the 2022-23 campaign and shot 44 free throws. Three players have made at least 20 free throws for the Hounds. Another "charity" related item is in store for fans this weekend. A donation of three or more canned goods will give fans entry into both the women's and men's game Saturday afternoon.

4.) Challenging Cameron – The Aggies are in the top half of a few categories among the Lone Star Conference, but they are some notable ones that have proven to be a struggle for Cameron early on in the season. The group is last in three point percentage defense giving up a 38.1% clip to opponents. They also don't utilize the bench in offensive production as only 19.23 points per game come from non-starters. CU is 3-1 in games versus opponents ENMU has beaten in conference play. The Aggies are also 1-1 in matchups with foes from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). One of the offensive weapons to watchout for is Lavell Brodnez who connects for 13.8 points per game and holds a team best 6.8 rebounds per contest.

5.) Cooling Down the Mustangs – Midwestern State comes into the weekend of action after one of the best wins in the Lone Star Conference this season. MSU beat Lubbock Christian at home last Saturday, 83-69. The game saw four Mustangs earn double digits – Bakari LaStrap (19 pts), Mason Gibson (17 pts), Will Shepherd (16 pts), and Reggie Hill (11 pts). MSU kept a clean game only giving up four turnovers. It marks the third time in the last four games that the Mustangs have given away less than ten turnovers during a game. Over the first nine games they were averaging 14.1 per game and over the last four are averaging just 7.25 per game. The drastic change has put a different tone on MSU in their hunt to getting to the Lone Star Conference tournament.