Athletic Report
January 13, 2001

BOLTON LEADS EAST CENTRAL PAST ENMU
ADA, OK — DeMarcus Bolton scored a game-high 23 points, leading East Central University to an 83-73 triumph over Eastern New Mexico University, in a Lone Star Conference crossover game, Jan. 13 at the Kerr Activities Center. ECU improved to 9-4 with the win, while ENMU fell to 3-11. Crossover games do not count in the LSC divisional standings.

East Central, from the LSC North, earned a 39-34 halftime lead behind 15 points from Bolton. East Central committed just 3 first-half turnovers, while ENMU lost the ball 9 times. The Greyhounds, from the LSC South, shot 59.1% in the first half (13 of 22), led by Brenton Robinson (Jr., F/C, Tucson, AZ/Central Arizona), who scored 13 points.

ECU shot 41.4% in the half (12 of 29), but made 11 of 14 free throws and sank four 3-pointers. ECU still led by just five points, 45-40, after Robinson hit a jumper with 17:52 left in the second half. The Tigers scored 7 of the next 8 points to build a 52-41 lead, and eventually took a 15-point lead, 61-46, with 10:49 on the clock.

Eastern New Mexico battled back within nine points twice, including 63-54 with 7:51 remaining, but ECU held a double-digit lead the rest of the game. The Greyhounds made two free throws and two baskets in the last 17 seconds to cut the final margin to 10 points.

Bolton’s 23-point performance led four double-digit scorers for ECU. Jason Wilkerson added 17 points, while Ryan Eaves and Pip Harris each scored 14 points. Bolton was 7 of 12 from the floor and recorded 9 rebounds. Harris led all players with 13 boards and 6 assists.

Robinson was ENMU’s top scorer, with 20 points. He connected on 7 of 8 field goals and was 6 of 12 at the line. It was his highest scoring game since joining ENMU this fall. Brandon Ridenour (Sr., G, Lovington, NM/New Mexico J.C.) tallied 16 points on 6 of 9 shooting, including 2 of 3 on 3-pointers. Freshman point guard Rudy Charles (Las Vegas, NV/ Durango H.S.) scored 15 points, grabbed 6 boards and supplied 4 assists. Melvin Steward (So., F, Seattle, WA/Grand Canyon Univ.) scored 6 points and recorded 5 assists.

ENMU connected on 28 of 48 shots (58.3%), but made just 2 three-pointers. East Central shot 45.3% (29 of 64), but converted 9 of 16 three-point attempts. The Tigers finished the game with a 35-26 rebounding edge.

Eastern New Mexico will play three more road games before completing its five-game road trip. The Greyhounds’ next game is Jan. 18 at Abilene Christian University. Tipoff in the LSC South Division game is set for 7:00 p.m. (MST).