Athletic Report
February 24, 2000 (3/7)

TAMU-COMMERCE RALLIES PAST GREYHOUNDS
Lions Score Last Seven Points for 76-71 Win
PORTALES, NM — As they have done all season, the out-sized and out-numbered Eastern New Mexico men’s basketball team fought hard from beginning to end in its Lone Star Conference game against Texas A&M-Commerce at Greyhound Arena on Thur., Feb. 24.

As in several previous home games, the Greyhounds led at halftime and were close at the end. The Greyhounds were in contention — and in the lead — for most of the second half. ENMU, bolstered by 15 of 30 shooting from 3-point range, held a 71-69 lead with 3:41 left.

TAMU-Commerce rallied, scoring the final 7 points of the game to take a 76-71 win. Eastern New Mexico concluded its season at 3-23 overall and 0-14 in the LSC South.

The Greyhounds ended the year on an 18-game losing streak that included an overtime loss (73-72 at Western New Mexico, Jan. 18) and four other losses by six points or less. TAMU-Commerce improved to 12-13 overall, 5-8 in the LSC South.

Against TAMU-Commerce, the Hounds produced a 3-point display that fell just two baskets short of the school record. ENMU sank 15 of 30 three-pointers, as the Hounds almost reached the record of 17 successful 3’s set against Central Oklahoma on Jan. 6, 1996.

Chris Gonzales (Jr., G, Albuquerque, NM/N.M. State) led the 3-point charge, which turned around a game that belonged to TAMU-Commerce for the first 12 minutes. Gonzales hit 5 of 6 three-pointers in the first half, including 5 in a row. His shooting helped the Greyhounds overcome a 23-8 deficit in the final 7:21 of the opening period.

ENMU led 35-31 heading into the last minute of the half, and owned a 35-33 lead at the break. Gonzales finished the game 8 of 13 on 3-pointers, missing the individual single game record by just two baskets. Matt Vail set the record by sinking 10 of 13 three-pointers against West Texas A&M on Feb. 1, 1999.

Against TAMU-Commerce, the Greyhounds’ other 3-pointers came from Cord Wilburn (Sr., G, Artesia, NM/Otero J.C.) with three, Brandon Ridenour (Jr., G, Lovington, NM/New Mexico J.C.) with three and Heath Ridenour (Fr., G, Lovington, NM/ Lovington H.S.) with one.

The Lions were 9 of 15 on 3-point shots, led by Shay Pittman, who went 4 of 7. Neither team led by more than three points in the final 8:00, until TAMUC’s final 7-point run. Jay York’s driving layup tied the game, 71-71, with 3:20 left. He scored another layup with 1:48 remaining to give the Lions the lead at 73-71. Harold Chambers sank a free throw with 1:00 left, and Brandon Manning went 2 for 2 at the line with 0:36 left, as TAMU- Commerce clinched the win.

ENMU had several offense chances in the final minute, but the Hounds were unable to score. Gonzales was the game’s top scorer with 25 points, one point less than his career high, set at Midwestern State on Jan. 27.

Wilburn added 20 points on 7 of 10 shooting and Brandon Ridenour contributed 19 points. Rob McCaskill (Jr., F/C, Greenwood, MS/North Lake C.C.) grabbed 11 rebounds, blocked 2 shots and recorded 3 steals for the Greyhounds. Wilburn, the only senior on the ENMU roster, also dished out 5 assists in his final collegiate game.

TAMU-Commerce was led by York with 17 points and 6 rebounds. Pittman scored 14 points, while Chambers tallied 13 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Jeff Sabin also reached double figures with 11 points. Manning scored just 4 points, but provided a game-high 9 assists.