Athletic Report
Jan 22, 2000

JAVELINAS HOLD OFF GREYHOUNDS, 60-56
PORTALES, NM — Texas A&M University-Kingsville built a 58-47 lead with 1:51 remaining, then held off Eastern New Mexico University to take a 60-56 victory over the Greyhounds on Sat., Jan. 22. The Lone Star Conference victory gave TAMUK an 11-7 overall record, including a 5-2 mark in the LSC South. ENMU dropped to 3-14 overall and 0-6 in the LSC South.

Eastern concluded the game with a 9-2 run. Guards Cord Wilburn (Sr., Artesia, NM/ Otero C.C.) and Chris Gonzales (Jr., Albuquerque, NM/New Mexico State) each recorded a 3-point basket during the run. ENMU trailed by 5 points, 58-53, with six seconds left, but Quincy Sims sank two free throws with 0:04 remaining to clinch the win for TAMUK. Gonzales’ 3-pointer, his second of the game, came as the clock expired, creating the final score.

The Greyhounds led 18-14 with 8:00 left in the first half, but TAMU-Kingsville closed the half with a 16-8 run. The Javelinas owned a 30-26 advantage at halftime. ENMU and TAMUK were tied, 32-32, at the 15:09 mark of the second half. The Javelinas put together an 11-0 run to take a 43-32 lead with 11:56 remaining. Three players each sank one 3-pointer during the run. TAMU-Kingsville led the rest of the way.

For Eastern, the top scorer was Wilburn, who contributed 14 points, including 4 three- pointers. Keenan Browder (Fr., F, Gary, IN/Bishop Noll Institute) scored 11 points, and Brandon Ridenour (Jr., G, Lovington, NM/New Mexico J.C.) supplied 10 points and 6 boards.

The Greyhounds also received 9 points and 8 rebounds from Kevin Stengem (Jr., F/C, Southlake, TX/North Lake C.C.), plus 6 points and 7 boards from Rob McCaskill (Jr., F/C, Greenwood, MS/North Lake C.C.).

The Javelinas were led by Sims with 13 points and by Kenneth Johnson with 11 points and 6 rebounds. Willie Watkins added 9 points and Jon Day provided 6 rebounds.

Eastern earned a slim rebounding margin (37-35) and made 16 of 25 free throws, while TAMUK converted just 5 of 10 charity shots. The Javelinas gained an edge in turnovers, forcing 19 while committing just 12.

ENMU is off for just one day before traveling to Goodwell, Okla. to take on Oklahoma Panhandle State University. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (MST). ENMU defeated OPSU, 85-75, at Greyhound Arena in the season opener.