The Eastern New Mexico men’s basketball team kicked off 2022 with a thrilling 65-62 overtime victory over Oklahoma Christian University on Thursday night in Greyhound Arena.

The contest was a battle from the start, with both teams fighting to gain and keep the advantage. With the score tied, 10-10, after six minutes of play, the Eagles went on a 9-2 run (13:40-8:57) to gain the largest lead of the game to that point.

Eastern continued to fight to keep the score close but entered halftime trailing, 31-24.

Oklahoma Christian maintained control through the first seven minutes of the second half but the Greyhounds came within one point several times.

A jumper from Yosnier Cobas with 12:15 left on the clock tied the game up, 40-40. Cornell Greenwood then hit a three-pointer to give the Hounds their first lead of the contest.

The remainder of the second half was back and forth with five ties and two lead changes but ultimately, two free throws by Oklahoma Christian’s Drew Tennial in the final four seconds evened up the game at 56-56 to force overtime.

The Greyhounds came out firing on all cylinders to start the overtime period with a three from Kentrell Pullian to regain the advantage.

OC went on a short 6-0 run (3:40-2:13) to take a 62-59 lead.

Greenwood responded with a good jumper to pull within one point before James Jordan went 4-for-4 on free throws down the stretch to secure the 65-62 victory for the Hounds.

NOTABLE STATS

• Pullian had a game and career-high 20 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double.
• Greenwood finished the contest with 12 points, while Jordan added 11 points.
• On the glass, Marvin Mapaga pulled down eight rebounds.
• Sebastian Jimenez paced the team in steals with three, while Pullian and Greenwood each had two.
• The Greyhounds out-rebounded the Eagles, 40-30.
• For Oklahoma Christian, Moun’tae Edmundson led the team in points with 19, while Tennial finished close behind with 17 points. Edmundson and Tennial also had six rebounds each.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• The Greyhounds improve to 5-6 overall and 1-1 in Lone Star Conference play.
• OC shifts to 4-9 overall and 1-2 in the conference.
• The Eagles lead the overall series, 5-3, but Eastern has won the last two contests between the programs.
• The Hounds are back in action on Saturday, January 8 when they welcome the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith to Greyhound Arena at 4 p.m.