Athletic Report
Jan 25, 2000

GREYHOUNDS FALL AT PANHANDLE STATE, 81-65
GOODWELL, OK — Oklahoma Panhandle State University went on a 13-2 run midway through the second half and pulled away from Eastern New Mexico University, 81-65, Jan. 24 at Oscar Williams Fieldhouse. OPSU, which lost to ENMU, 85-75, in the season opener, avenged its earlier loss and improved to 6-12 overall. Eastern fell to 3-15 on the season.

The Aggies started quickly, building an 11-0 lead in the first three minutes, then taking a 16-point advantage, 33-17, with 7:24 left in the half. The Greyhounds were behind 38-25 at the 4:28 mark, but used a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to six points with 2:32 remaining in the half. ENMU senior guard Cord Wilburn (Artesia, NM/Otero J.C.) scored 15 points in the final 6:32 of the half to lead Eastern’s comeback.

The Hounds trailed 44-40 at the break. OPSU scored the first four points of the second half, but held just a two-point margin, 52-50, with 13:41 remaining in the game. The Greyhounds trailed by just four points, 57-53, with 12:17 left. The Aggies then went on their 13-2 run, taking a 70-55 lead with 6:07 to go.

Wilburn led all scorers with 22 points. He was 8 of 14 from the floor, including 4 of 8 three-point shots. He also grabbed 5 rebounds and recorded 4 assists.

Other double-digit scorers for Eastern were Rob McCaskill (Jr., F/C, Greenwood, MS/ North Lake C.C.) with 17 points and Brandon Ridenour (Jr., G, Lovington, NM/New Mexico J.C.) with 11 points. McCaskill also provided 6 rebounds, while freshman forward Keenan Browder (Gary, IN/Bishop Noll Institute) contributed 8 points and 9 boards.

The Aggies were topped by Siesta Pettiford and Donnie Blanchat, who scored 18 points and grabbed 8 rebounds apiece. Pettiford was 9 of 11 on field goals, while Blanchat made 6 of 10 field goals and converted 6 of 7 free throws. Harland Burgess also finished in double figures for OPSU, earning 14 points and 7 assists.

OPSU shot 44.4% for the game (32 of 72) and outrebounded the Greyhounds, 41-31. Eastern shot 41.9% in the first half (13 of 31), but connected on just 27.8% (10 of 36) over the final 20 minutes.

Eastern New Mexico plays a pair of Lone Star Conference road games later this week. The Greyhounds will take on Midwestern State University on Thur., Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. (MST) before playing at Tarleton State University on Sat., Jan. 29 at 7:00 p.m. (MST).