Athletic Report
February 12, 2000

WEST TEXAS A&M DOWNS GREYHOUNDS
CANYON, TX — Demetrius Hodge of West Texas A&M University scored 20 points and Rich Forrest added 13 points, as the Buffaloes defeated visiting Eastern New Mexico University, 84-68, Feb. 12 in Canyon, Texas.

WTAMU improved to 16-6 overall and 8-4 in the LSC South with the victory. ENMU fell to 3-21, 0-12 in the LSC South.

West Texas A&M led 23-12 with just under 10:00 remaining in the first half, but the Greyhounds went on a 10-3 run to cut their deficit to just 4 points, 26-22, at the 7:42 mark. Chris Gonzales (Jr., G, Albuquerque, NM/N.M. State) and Heath Ridenour (Fr., G, Lovington, NM/Lovington H.S.) each sank a 3-pointer during the run.

WTAMU ended the half with a 40-32 lead, and remained in front by 8 points, 58-50, with 11:40 left in the game. The Buffaloes outscored ENMU 16-10 over the next five minutes for a 16-point advantage, 76-60. Hodge, who was 8 of 13 from the floor, led all scorers with his 20-point performance. Forrest not only contributed 13 points, but also grabbed 7 rebounds. Estrada Murray added 11 points and 8 assists for the Buffs, while Tyrone Byers scored 9 points and Esaw Scruggs tallied 8 points and recorded 7 rebounds.

For ENMU, Brandon Ridenour (Jr., G, Lovington, NM/New Mexico J.C.) scored 19 points. Heath Ridenour produced 15 points and 6 boards, and Gonzales finished with 13 points, including three 3-pointers. Cord Wilburn (Sr., G, Artesia, NM/Otero J.C.) also reached double figures with 10 points, 5 assists and 2 steals.

West Texas A&M grabbed 17 offensive rebounds compared to 7 offensive boards for the Greyhounds. The Buffs also built a 45-30 overall rebounding margin. WTAMU shot 47.2% from the field (34 of 72), while ENMU connected on 43.9% of its shots (25 of 57). The Greyhounds were 8 of 19 on three-pointers. West Texas made 6 of 18 three-point attempts.

The Greyhounds return to action on Thur., Feb. 17, when they play at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Tipoff in Kingsville, Texas is set for 6:30 p.m. (MST).