Athletic Report
November 21, 2000

ENMU EDGES NMHU, 96-94, IN TWO OVERTIMES Ridenour’s Baskets Help End 19-Game Losing Streak
LAWTON, OK — Senior guard Brandon Ridenour (Lovington, NM/Lovington H.S.) sank a 3-pointer with 2:31 remaining in the second overtime, then added a jump shot with 1:50 left, leading Eastern New Mexico University to a 96-94, double-overtime victory over New Mexico Highlands University, Nov. 21 at Greyhound Arena. Ridenour, who started every game in ENMU’s 19-game losing streak, including 18 games last season, provided the critical points as the Hounds ended the skid to even their 2000-01 record at 1-1.

NMHU dropped to 1-1 on the season. The Cowboys defeated ENMU in the season opener for both teams, 95-61, Nov. 17 in Las Vegas, N.M.

Ridenour’s 3-pointer gave the Greyhounds a 91-88 lead in the rematch, and his jump shot increased the lead to 93-88. NMHU hit a 3-pointer of its own to cut the deficit to 93-91, before junior guard Kevin Iverson (Chicago, IL/Elgin C.C.) hit one of two free throws with 1:18 left for a 94-91 ENMU lead.

Freshman guard Carlton Lewis (Muleshoe, TX/Muleshoe H.S.) hit a pair of free throws with 47.5 seconds left to give Eastern a 96-91 lead. Adrian Brown answered with a 3-pointer for NMHU with 41 seconds to go, as the Cowboys pulled within two points, 96-94.

Neither team scored the rest of the way. Torry Peoples, who played at ENMU last season and scored 15 points against his former teammates, missed a desperation 30-foot shot that glanced off the front of the rim as time expired.

The game reached the second overtime period because of a free throw late in regulation and another free shot in the closing seconds of the first overtime. NMHU tied the game, 78-78, at the end of regulation, when Gabe Maldonado hit the second of two free throws with 0:10 left. In the first overtime, Ridenour pulled the Hounds even at 86-86 by sinking the second of two charity shots with 0:06 remaining.

Iverson of ENMU led all players with 27 points. He was 11 of 19 from the field, while contributing 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals. Freshman point guard Rudy Charles recorded 17 points and 6 rebounds, while supplying 8 assists in 36 minutes. Charles and junior center Brenton Robinson (Tucson, AZ/Central Arizona), each fouled out late in the game. Robinson scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Redshirt freshman forward Zach Bullock (Fairbanks, AK/North Pole H.S.) scored 17 points and hauled down 10 rebounds. He was 8 of 12 from the field and is 11 of 15 (.733) for the season.

The Greyhounds sank just 2 of 7 three-pointers and 20 of 38 free throws, but made 37 of 79 field goals for 46.8% accuracy from the field. The victory was the first win at ENMU for Shawn Scanlan, the Greyhounds’ new head coach. Scanlan was the head coach at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, the past five seasons.

New Mexico Highlands was led by Brown, with 25 points and a game-high 20 rebounds. Maldonado added 22 points and 7 assists. The Cowboys placed five players in double figures, as Peoples, Michael Clay (10 points) and Peter Morales (11 points) also made significant contributions. NMHU shot 40.0% for the game (32 of 80) and hit on 10 of 27 three-pointers (37.0%). Highlands held a slim 52-51 edge in rebounding.

Eastern New Mexico returns to action on Friday, Nov. 24 and Saturday, Nov. 25 in the Metropolitan State Classic in Denver, Colo. The Hounds are set to play Regis University on Friday at 5:00 p.m. (MST). ENMU will take on host and defending NCAA Division II national champion Metro State on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.