Athletic Report
February 20, 2001

WTAMU HOLDS OFF ENMU RALLY FOR 83-77 WIN
Rudy Charles Earns 22 Points, 10 Assists for Hounds
PORTALES, NM — Eastern New Mexico University freshman point guard Rudy Charles (Las Vegas, NV/Durango H.S.) recorded his first double-double and led a dramatic rally late in the game, but West Texas A&M held off the Greyhounds for an 83-77 Lone Star Conference win, Feb. 20 at Greyhound Arena.

West Texas improved to 17-7 overall, including 9-2 in the LSC South. ENMU fell to 4-21, 1-10 in the LSC South.

Charles scored a team-high 22 points and added a personal best 10 assists. His 3-point shot with 9:23 remaining pulled the Greyhounds within 6 points, 65-59, as ENMU rallied from a 14-point deficit, 60-46, five minutes earlier.

WTAMU increased its lead to 74-61 with 6:00 to go. The Buffaloes also held a 13-point lead, 78-65, with 2:30 remaining. Charles responded by leading another ENMU comeback with a jumper and a 3-point shot. His baskets completed a 7-0 run that cut the deficit to 78-72 with 1:09 left.

Matt Madison, who scored a game-high 23 points for West Texas A&M on 7 of 9 shooting (5 of 6 3-pointers), sank two free throws with 0:46 left. Melvin Steward (Jr., G/F, Seattle, WA/Grand Canyon) scored a layup for ENMU and Albert Miles hit a free throw for WTAMU, as the Buffaloes took an 81-74 lead with 29 seconds to go.

Senior guard Brandon Ridenour (Lovington, NM/New Mexico J.C.) hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 18 seconds left as Eastern cut the lead to 81-77. Estrada Murray failed on two free throws for WTAMU a second later, and Charles missed a 3-point shot for ENMU with 10 seconds left. Augie Larson sealed the win with a pair of charity shots for WTAMU.

ENMU edged the Buffaloes in overall shooting, as the Greyhounds sank 28 of 49 shots (57.1%) and West Texas hit 27 of 48 shots (56.3%). The Buffaloes gained an advantage on 3-pointers, converting 11 of 20 (55.0%). Eastern was 5 of 11 on 3-point attempts. Charles led four Greyhounds in double figures.

Garland Coleman (Fr., G/F, Chicago, IL/ Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) scored 18 points and was 8 of 10 from the floor. Ridenour tallied 14 points and 4 boards, while Brenton Robinson (Jr., F/C, Tucson, AZ/Central Arizona) scored 10 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.

Four players also provided double-digit scoring for West Texas A&M. Madison’s 23 points led the way, with Esaw Scruggs supplying 14 points, and Darian Jones adding 11 points. Miles finished with 10 points and 7 rebounds. Murray scored 8 points and distributed 11 assists for the Buffaloes.

The Greyhounds close out the season on Saturday, Feb. 24 at Tarleton State University. Tipoff in the LSC South contest is slated for 7:00 p.m. (MST).