The Eastern New Mexico University men’s basketball team dropped a hard-fought 68-61 matchup to Regis on Tuesday in the final home contest of 2017. After the setback, ENMU falls to 4-8 on the season.

“Regis is a good team,” ENMU Head Coach Tres Segler said. “We respected them coming in and knew they were powerful. They have a lot of guys that can really score the basketball. Even when you’re playing good defense, somebody can get loose. I was proud of how we shut down their main scorer early. We didn’t do a good enough job on the point guard; he played really tough and got some offensive rebounds in the first half that allowed them to keep momentum. I really thought we did a good job on Broadbeck early. He was 1-of-7 from three in the first half. I tell these guys all the time, in the Lone Star Conference you have to be able to take away the other team’s best player. I was proud of the way we did that.”

“We shared the basketball pretty well in the first half. We slowed down in the second half and I think that led to them stretching out the lead. I’m not pleased with the way we rebounded. We got close to tying the rebounding total at the end of the game, but it was one of those games where it always felt like they were in the advantage.”

Senior Shawn Shelton had a stellar all-around performance against the Rangers, dropping 13 points with six rebounds and a pair of assists. Freshman Devin Pullum added nine points and three assists while senior Lamarquis Thompson had eight points and six boards.

“I was proud of Shawn,” Segler said. “The way they guard the ball screen gave Shawn a lot of opportunities to use his talent tonight. We knew coming into the game that he was going to be a big factor. He got banged up in the last game and reaggrivated it again tonight so I was proud of him for pushing through and giving us some good minutes. Devin had a great leadership game again tonight. He came in and did a good job of leading us. I’m looking forward to Lamarquis getting going in the second semester and getting some scoring back from him. Same thing with Zach Parker; I’m excited for him to catch fire and get going. Those are two very powerful guards. When those guys figure it out in the same night, it’ll be a great game tonight.”

After going into the intermission trailing by three, the Greyhounds went back and forth with Regis, pulling to within one at the 8:37 mark after back-to-back threes by Isaac Maldonado. The Rangers would mount a 15-3 run to extend the lead to 13 and put the game out of reach for the Hounds.

“This Christmas break is needed for us,” Segler said. “We need some rest and to recharge. I told the team in the locker room afterward that we have to look at ourselves in the mirror and each man has some things to get better at. I have good kids and I think they’re going to go home and do just that. When you go home to your family and have people tell you the truth in a safe environment, hopefully they can do some growing while they’re gone and come back ready to play.”

“We have a big second half of the season. Last year, this was about the time that we fired it up and got going. The good thing about our way of life and our belief in our system is we don’t ever expect it to be easy. This is nothing new to us. The hard work and toughness we believe in is being proven right now. We have to keep getting better.

The Hounds return to the hardwood on Saturday, Dec. 30, at Lubbock Christian. Tipoff against the Chaps is slated for 1 p.m. For the latest news on ENMU Athletics, follow @ENMU_Hoops and @ENMUAthletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit GoEasternAthletics.com.

-Eastern New Mexico University-
Men’s Basketball
Will Edwards