Athletic Report
November 30, 1999

N.M. HIGHLANDS DEFEATS EASTERN NEW MEXICO
PORTALES, NM — Eastern New Mexico University rallied from a 20-point deficit in the first half, but couldn’t duplicate the feat in the second half, as visiting New Mexico Highlands claimed a 76-58 victory over the Greyhounds, Nov. 30 at Greyhound Arena. Eastern New Mexico fell to 1-4 on the season. NMHU improved to 2-0, with both wins coming against the Greyhounds.

The Cowboys defeated ENMU, 102-67, on Nov. 23 in Las Vegas, N.M. Eastern trailed 24-4 with 12:25 remaining in the first half, but went on a 33-15 run to pull within 39-37 at the intermission. Freshman guard Torry Peoples (Hobbs, NM/Hobbs H.S.) led ENMU’s rally with 10 points on 4 of 5 field goals and 2 of 4 free throws.

The Greyhounds struggled on offense in the second half. Peoples was held scoreless, and ENMU made just one of its first 19 shots. ENMU shot only 19.2% for the half (5 of 26). New Mexico Highlands built a 21-point lead, 67-46, with 8:06 left in the game on a 3-pointer by senior guard Matt Vail.

Vail, who played at ENMU the past three seasons, led all players with 21 points. He also provided the Cowboys with 10 rebounds. Other top players for NMHU were point guard Gabe Maldonado and center Miguel Tittman. Maldonado scored 17 points, including 4 three-pointers, while Tittman provided a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. The Cowboys achieved a 49-37 rebounding edge, and shot 46.0% for the game, while limiting ENMU to 35.1%.

ENMU junior center Nelson Smith (Albuquerque, NM/Univ. of Miami), a standout defensive tackle on the Greyhound football team, earned his first double-double as a college player. Smith, playing in his first basketball season since high school, scored 11 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Greyhounds in both categories.

Peoples finished with 10 points, while Brandon Ridenour (Jr., G, Lovington, NM/ New Mexico J.C.) and Shane Brown (Fr., G, Portales, NM/Portales H.S.) contributed 9 points each. Senior point guard Cord Wilburn (Artesia, NM/Otero J.C.) added 8 points, and reserve point guard Edwin Quintana (So., G, Albuquerque, NM/Eldorado H.S.) chipped in 7 points and 5 rebounds. The Greyhounds play two road games later this week.

ENMU will take on Harding University on Thur., Dec. 2 at 7:00 p.m. (MST) in Searcy, Ark. The Hounds will then travel to Arkadelphia, Ark. to play Ouachita Baptist on Sat., Dec. 4 at 1:00 p.m. (MST).