2/26/2022 | Men’s Basketball | Box Score

PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico men’s basketball concluded its season with an 87-64 victory, on Senior Day, over Western New Mexico University in a raucous Greyhound Arena on Saturday afternoon. Eastern end its season campaign at 7-17, with a 3-11 LSC standing. WNMU close the 2021-22 season with a 10-14 record, and 4-11 in conference play.

The game opened very defensively as neither team could find a footing in the first 10 minutes of play, with the score reading 7-4 ENMU after the first eight minutes. However, the Hounds found their rhythm offensively with seven minutes left to play in the first half. Eastern put together mini streak to overtake the Mustangs and extend its lead.

A 9-2 run increased the energy for the team, and in Greyhound Arena, as the Hounds look its largest lead of the night 22-14. Garrick Sherrod started with two free throws, then Yosnier Cobas hit a triple, and Marvin Mapaga and JaQuan Morris threw down two dunks to bring the crowd into the game. A back and forth ensued, but Eastern kept its advantage following two three-pointers from Morris and one triple from Niko Bossinakis. The Hounds entered the locker room with a 38-24 advantage at the half.

Western New Mexico quickly cut the Hounds advantage to single digits. Eastern lead by 16 points in the early stages of the second half, and WNMU reduced the deficit to nine points after a Western three pointer, 45-36 ENMU. ENMU responded after a timeout, opening a 10-2 streak to reestablish a double-digit advantage. Another 9-3 stretch followed for the Hounds, taking a 23-point lead 64-41.

The Mustangs had to reply in order to remain competitive and they did, scoring 10 unanswered points, 64-51 ENMU. However, the Hounds offense continued to score with Mapaga finding two buckets underneath, Sherrod and Kevin Nze Mbaconnecting, and Bossinakis hitting a three to put the game out of reach. In the end, the Greyhounds came away with a 87-64 win over Western.

NOTABLE STATS

  • The Hounds shot 44.1% (30-68) from the field, 44.8% (13-29) from behind the arc, and 87.5% (14-16) at the charity stripe. WNMU were held to 30.0% shooting, 17.9% at a distance, and 76.7% from the free throw line. 
  • Eastern New Mexico found 30 points in the paint, more than the 24 points in the paint for Western. The Hounds bench outscored the WNMU bench, 36-23.
  • ENMU saw five players reach double-figures, with Morris providing 16 points from the bench. Mapaga (14 points), Bossinakis (14 points), Cobas (13 points), and Sherrod (12 points) all leading the Hounds for scoring.
  • Mapaga and Cobas each pulled down nine rebounds, while Kentrell Pullian finished with six boards.
  • Pullian led the Greyhounds with seven assists, while Sherrod accounted for five assists. Mapaga and Pullian each finished the night with two steals.

FROM THE SOURCE

“I am proud of how we played tonight” said Head Men’s Basketball Coach Brent Owen. Our defensive effort and the way we shared the ball and made shots is what I envision for our program. The atmosphere in Greyhound Arena was the best that I have seen” said Owen. “Tonight, was a small taste of what will be happing on a regular basis as we move this program forward. Thank you to our fans and administration for all of the support this season”.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • Tonight’s win margin of 23 points was the largest margin of victory against the Mustangs since 1995, when the Hounds beat WNMU 85-62. 23 points is also the largest margin of victory for Eastern this season.
  • Morris had his best scoring game of the season, 16 points, while also having a season high six field goals made. Bossinakis posted a career best 14 points during the game, connecting on a season high four three-pointers.
  • Mapaga recorded a season high 28 minutes in the game and pulled down a career best nine boards during the game. Sherrod filled the stat sheet with a season best in points (12), made field goals (5), and rebounds (5), while finding his first career block.
  • Eastern finished the game with a season high 47 rebounds. The Hounds also had its highest single-game free throw percentage, at 87.5%.
  • ENMU men’s basketball honored Sherrod, Mapaga, Cobas, and Isaac Maldonado as part of senior day just before the game.
  • The Greyhounds close its season on a winning note and look to return stronger for the 2022-23 season.