PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico joined the win column for the first time in 2024-25 after a 94-82 win over New Mexico Highlands.

"How we came out," said head coach Daven Võ on the early momentum to help ignite the winning effort. "We had a choice to sulk and act like we were hurting or to respond and fight."

The Greyhounds fought from the start as they began the contest on a 7-0 run, eventually taking a 25-10 lead just ten minutes into the in-state matchup.

Three student-athletes scored in double figures in the win. Mario Whitley had a career-high 24 points in the win on 11-of-16 shooting. He also earned his fifth-career double-double as a Hound after pulling down ten total rebounds.

Junior Treyvon Byrd was a crucial player in the win as he got to the charity stripe ten times sinking nine of those attempts. Byrd flip-flopped what he did the night before as he improved his foul shooting (33% to 90%), point total (6 to 19), and rebounding (1 to 8).

The other Hound to score in double figures was Jose Murillo finishing with 17 points. He made six of his nine shot attempts and grabbed eight rebounds.

"Our bench guys came in and helped us do what we really needed to do," said Võ as he emphasized the team win.

Guard Cooper Jackson played well off the bench with eight points. He continues to be a strong defender for ENMU as he picked up two steals in the outing.  Jaden Clarke was another key nonstarter with five points over just seven minutes on the court.

The defense-minded Hounds made it difficult for NMHU the entire 40 minutes as the in-state foe shot 25-of-69 (36.2%) from the field. The Cowboys did have four players in double figures on the night.

Eastern New Mexico is now 72-40 overall against New Mexico Highlands, including wins in the last three matchups.

ENMU men's basketball home opener is Thursday afternoon as the program hosts Navajo Tech for youth day. Tickets are available online.