PORTALES, N.M. – The gauntlet of the Lone Star Conference continues for Eastern New Mexico men's basketball this weekend as the Greyhounds travel to play Texas A&M International Thursday and visit Texas A&M-Kingsville Saturday. Before ENMU tips things off in south Texas, please take a look at the Starting Five:
1.) Split Results: Eastern New Mexico earned its second-consecutive win over (RV) Lubbock Christian Thursday evening, 80-72. Four student-athletes registered double figures –
Jahcoree Ealy (19),
Greg Johnson (15),
Mario Whitley (14), and
Lyron Bennett (13). ENMU held a 16-point edge late in the first half, but LCU was able to pull within one point at the 12-minute mark in the second half. Eastern went on a 9-0 run and kept the advantage past three or more possessions the rest of the night. No. 2 West Texas A&M received a scare from the unranked Hounds as the Buffs held a 20-point lead, but ENMU managed to hold a brief lead with one-minute remaining. WT escaped with a two-point win.
Greg Johnson led the team with 28 points and Ealy (16) and Whitley (10) finished in double digits for the second time over the weekend.
2.) Tug to the Top: Greg Johnson, better referred to as "Tug," has made a major influence for Eastern New Mexico over the last six games. The Little Rock, Arkansas native has posted 120 points, 29 rebounds, and 17 assists, and 4 blocks in that timespan. He also earned LSC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in wins over Cameron and Midwestern State. Against the Mustangs, Johnson scored 39 points on 14-of-19 shooting. The senior has played remarkable since resting a pair of games for an injured finger.
3.) History Rests Well: Returner
Jahcoree Ealy has fared well in games against Texas A&M International and Texas A&M-Kingsville. The senior wing boasted 16 points, five rebounds, and two steals in a win over the Dustdevils in 2023. He followed up that performance with 18 points and an assist versus the Javelinas. Ealy is having a remarkable 2023-24 season averaging a conference-best 21.4ppg and 4.1rpg. He has ten or more points in every contest this year and has gone for 30+ three different times this season.
4.) Low and Slow: One of Texas A&M International's greatest strengths is keeping opponents to a low scoring total (67.1 ppg), however they still allow foes to connect on 44.7% of shots from the field and score the least amount of points among teams in the Lone Star Conference (67.2ppg). One major challenge for the Dustdevils is that ENMU scores 90.4 points per contest ranking twelfth in the nation and second in the conference. Another positive sign for TAMIU is that they force 14.29 turnovers per game and grab 11.47 offensive rebounds per outing.
5.) Javelinas "Jav" Defense: The Texas A&M-Kingsville defense is third in the Lone Star Conference in three different statistical categories. They average 8.9 steals per game, 14.75 turnovers forced per game, and limit opponents to 33.2% from behind-the-arc. These will need to be on high alert for TAMUK this weekend as Eastern New Mexico makes 41.9% of their shots from behind-the-arc. The Javelinas do struggle with rebound margin (-7.9) and making shots from the field (40.2%). If ENMU wants to win, they will need to capitalize on some of TAMUK's weaknesses.
