Game Recap: Men’s Basketball |  | Nicolle Holcomb

The Eastern New Mexico men’s basketball team picked up its first win of the season with an 87-80 victory over Northern New Mexico College Friday night in Greyhound Arena.

The Hounds went on an early 11-0 run (17:06-13:22) in the first half to take a commanding 14-2 lead in the opening eight minutes of play.

Eastern went on to lead by as many as 16 points with just over seven minutes left in the first frame but the Eagles continued to battle and cut the deficit to eight points in the remainder of the half. The Greyhounds went into the locker room at the break with a 42-34 lead.

In the first half, the Hounds shot 43.8 percent from the floor and 57.1 percent from beyond the arc, compared to Northern New Mexico’s 40.7 field-goal and 50.0 percent three-point percentages.

The second half was even more of a battle, as both teams fought for the advantage. Northern New Mexico took a brief 49-48 lead with 13 minutes left but Eastern regained control for the next five minutes.

There were two ties and four lead changes with time winding down (7:55-3:52) but the Hounds took the lead for good in the final four minutes and held on to secure the 87-80 victory.

NOTABLE STATS

  • Yosnier Cobas paced the Eastern offensive with 22 points (9-15 FG, 1-1 3PT, 3-6 FT). He also pulled down a team-leading nine rebounds and led the way in steals with two.
  • Four other Greyhounds netted double-digit points throughout the night. Jose Serrano finished the game with 14 points. James Jordan and Kentrell Pullian both tallied 12 points, while Marvin Mapaga ended the game with 10 points.
  • Jared Perry recorded a team-high two blocks.
  • On the glass, Pullian had seven rebounds, while Mapaga added five.
  • Northern New Mexico’s Marc Howard Jr. led all scorers with 23 points.
  • Eastern saw 46 of its 87 points scored in the paint and also picked up 15 points on second chance opportunities.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • Tonight’s victory marked Brent Owen‘s first career win as a head coach.
  • ENMU improves to 1-2 on the season, while NNMC shifts to 2-5 overall.
  • The Greyhounds now hold a 3-0 series advantage over the Eagles, dating back to the 2013-14 season.
  • Eastern New Mexico returns to Greyhound Arena on Monday, November 22 for a 6 p.m. contest against Oklahoma Panhandle State University.