PORTALES, N.M. – For a fourth time in conference play, Eastern New Mexico men's basketball came within a single possession of earning a win. Tonight, Texas A&M International pulled off a 68-66 result over the Greyhounds.

"I thought we battled," said head coach Brent Owen on the KSEL Country postgame show after the game. "They are a very good defensive team."

Defense proved vital as this game was played in similarities.

Both teams shot 23-of-54 (42.6%) from the field and both teams scored 26 points in the paint.

The positive for TAMIU with those numbers is that they came into the contest shooting just 42.4% from the floor and the Greyhounds were making 51.1% of their shots.

ENMU managed to earn a nine-point lead (22-13) midway through the first half, but the Dustdevils chipped away and tied the game just before the buzzer.

With the score knotted at 37-each, both teams wanted to be the first to strike in the period.

That's exactly what TAMIU did. They got a four-point play from a three-point make and a foul. The home side stretched their lead to 11 points (53-42) with just over 14 minutes left in the contest.

A quick 7-0 run for ENMU afterwards got the game within two possessions for the final 11 minutes.

The two teams traded turnovers, free throws, and field goals over the final moments of the matchup, but it was TAMIU who found themselves on the correct side of the scoreboard tonight.

The Greyhounds extended an advantage to three points (66-63) thanks to a pair of free throws from Jahcoree Ealy with 3:46 left, but the Dustdevils would go onto score the final five points on the night.

In that span, Eastern had four turnovers and was called for a technical foul on a play where two different calls were originally given on the floor.

TAMIU's effort to shutdown the Hounds offensively over the closing minutes helped them pull ahead. 

Senior Jahcoree Ealy pulled in a team-best 21 points. He grabbed five rebounds, earned four assists, and tacked on two blocks.

The loss brings ENMU to 7-4 in conference play and puts the Hounds in a matchup with Texas A&M-Kingsville Saturday afternoon. The came can be streamed on the Lone Star Conference Digital Network or caught on the radio via KSEL Country 105.9FM.