Athletic Report
November 22, 1999

MUSTANGS DEFEAT GREYHOUNDS, 65-52
PORTALES, NM — Western New Mexico University built an early 12-point lead on its way to a 65-52 victory over Eastern New Mexico University, on Mon., Nov. 22 at Greyhound Arena. The Mustangs improved to 1-2 overall, while ENMU dropped to 1-1 on the season.

WNMU led 9-2 and 23-11 in the first 10 minutes of play, and the Greyhounds never got closer than 7 points the rest of the half. The Mustangs shot a blistering 65.2% in the first half (15 of 23) and held a 39-27 lead at the break. The Greyhounds kept Western New Mexico from pulling away, but couldn’t cut the deficit to single digits.

ENMU trailed by just 10 points, 55-45, with 7:39 remaining on two free throws by junior guard Brandon Ridenour (Lovington, NM/New Mexico J.C.). WNMU maintained a double-digit lead over the next five minutes, then clinched the victory when neither team scored over the final 2:14 of play.

The Mustangs were led by Exie Weathers, who scored 16 points on 8 of 11 field goals. Michael Stidham added 13 points and Scott Leavitt scored 10 points. Six WNMU players grabbed 4 or more rebounds, led by Leavitt with 6 and Stidham and Jess Howard with 5 apiece.

Eastern New Mexico’s top scorer was Ridenour, who finished with 11 points. Nelson Smith (Jr., C, Albuquerque, NM/University of Miami) provided 9 points for the Greyhounds. ENMU shot just 32.3% for the game.

WNMU cooled off to 37.9% in the second half (11 of 29), but the Greyhounds never sustained a rally. Despite the loss, ENMU held an edge turnovers.

Western New Mexico committed 17 turnovers, while the Greyhounds lost the ball just 8 times. WNMU offset the turnovers with a 42-31 rebounding margin.

ENMU’s leading rebounders were Keenan Browder (Fr., G/F, Gary, IN/Bishop Noll Institute), Cord Wilburn (Sr., G, Artesia, NM/Otero J.C.) and Rob McCaskill (Jr., F/C, Greenwood, MS/North Lake C.C.), each with 5 boards.

The Greyhounds will play their third game in five days tomorrow night (Nov. 23), when they take on New Mexico Highlands in Las Vegas, N.M. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. (MST).

Last year, ENMU swept NMHU, defeating the Cowboys 88-79 on the road and 89-68 in Portales, N.M.