Athletic Report
December 2, 1999

GREYHOUNDS SLIP PAST HARDING
68-62 Wilburn, Ridenour Combine for 43 points (20-22 FT)
SEARCY, AR — Eastern New Mexico University, bolstered by outstanding efforts from its starting guards, rallied from a 7-point deficit with 10 minutes remaining to defeat Harding University, Dec. 2 at Rhodes Fieldhouse in Searcy, Ark.

ENMU, which had not one since a season-opening 85-75 victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State, improved to 2-4 on the season. Harding fell to 2-4 overall.

Starting guard Cord Wilburn (Sr., Artesia, NM/Otero J.C.) and Brandon Ridenour (Jr., Lovington, NM/New Mexico J.C.) led Eastern’s comeback. During the game’s final 10 minutes, Ridenour scored 13 points, including two 3-pointers, and Wilburn added 11 points, including 8 of 8 at the line.

ENMU trailed 49-42 at the 10:01 mark, but the Greyhounds tied the game at 49-49 when Ridenour sank his first 3-pointer with 8:20 remaining. Ridenour’s second 3-pointer gave ENMU the lead for good, 56-53, with 6:19 remaining. Harding trailed by as many as 7 points down the stretch, but cut Eastern’s lead to two points, 62-60 on a pair of free throws by Michael Jackson with 0:27 left.

Wilburn increased the lead to four points with two free throws one second later, and Ridenour canned two more free throws with 14 seconds left for a 66-60 lead. Wilburn completed the win by converting two free throws with 6 seconds remaining.

Ridenour led all scorers with 23 points, including 17 in the second half. He was 9 of 11 at the line. Wilburn added 20 points — all in the second half — on 4 of 4 field goals (4 of 8 for the game) and 11 of 11 free throws. He also provided ENMU with 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.

As a team, the Greyhounds converted 18 of 21 free throws in the second half, and shot 55.6% (10 of 18) from the field over the final 20 minutes. Meanwhile, the Hounds limited Harding to just 32.3% for the game (20 of 62). The Bisons were just 9 of 32 (28.1%) from the floor in the first half. Jackson topped Harding with 22 points (7 of 10 FGs, 8 of 10 FTs) and 9 rebounds.

The Greyhounds travel to Arkadelphia, Ark. on Sat., Dec. 4 to take on Ouachita Baptist. Tipoff at OBU is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. (MST).