Athletic Report
January 18, 2001

GREYHOUNDS EDGE WILDCATS, 67-66
Iverson Sinks Free Throw with 6.4 Seconds Left
ABILENE, TX — Junior guard Kevin Iverson (Chicago, IL/Elgin C.C.) hit the second of two free throws with 6.4 seconds remaining to break a 66-66 tie and send Eastern New Mexico University to a 67-66 victory over Abilene Christian University, in the Lone Star Conference South Division opener for both teams, Jan. 18 in Abilene, Texas.

With the win, ENMU improved to 4-11 overall (1-0 LSC South) and ended a 5-game losing streak. ACU fell to 4-11 on the season (0-1 LSC South). The win also allowed the Greyhounds and first-year Head Coach Shawn Scanlan to pass last season’s victory total. ENMU was 3-23 in 1999-00.

Eastern and ACU exchanged the lead throughout the first half. There were 6 ties and 6 lead changes during the first 20 minutes. Iverson hit a basket at the buzzer to break the final tie of the half, giving ENMU a 32-30 lead at the intermission.

The Greyhounds outscored the Wildcats 17-7 at the start of the second half, and held a 10-point advantage, 49-39, with 12:57 left. Six Eastern players combined to score ENMU’s first 17 points of the half. Rudy Charles (Fr., G, Las Vegas, NV/Durango H.S.) led the way with a pair of two-pointers and a three-pointer during the offensive surge. ACU gradually trimmed Eastern’s lead, but the Greyhounds never trailed in the second half.

The Wildcats scored six quick points to cut the deficit to 49-45 with 11:51 left. Josh Goellner’s field goal with 7:44 remaining pulled ACU within 3 points, 58-53. Abilene was within one point, 59-58, after Ryan Coleman hit a basket at the 5:02 mark. Abilene was also within a single point, 64-63, following a 3-pointer by Howard Johnson with 0:37 left. Charles sank a pair of free throws in a one-and-one situation at the 0:31 mark, giving ENMU a 66-63 edge.

Johnson canned another 3-pointer with 0:14 left to tie the game. Goellner picked up ACU’s 10th foul while trying to steal the ball from Iverson with 6.4 seconds remaining. Iverson missed the first free throw, but converted the second shot in the double bonus, as ENMU regained the lead. ACU shot twice in the final seconds, but the Wildcats were unable to score.

ENMU was 25 of 50 from the floor (50.0%), while ACU connected on 25 of 47 field goals (53.2%). ACU also made 7 three-pointers to just 3 for ENMU, but the Greyhounds sank 14 of 27 charity shots, while the Wildcats went 9 of 14 at the line.

Charles led the Greyhounds with 18 points. He also hauled down 6 boards and earned 3 steals. Garland Coleman (Fr., G/F, Chicago, IL/Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) sank 6 of 9 field goals, and finished with 13 points. Brenton Robinson (Jr., F/C, Tucson, AZ/Central Arizona College) provided 11 points and 6 rebounds. Brandon Ridenour (Sr., G, Lovington, NM/New Mexico J.C.) also scored 11 points for ENMU. Iverson scored just 6 points, but added 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals.

The Greyhounds registered 13 steals overall. ACU created 9 steals, including 4 by Cesar Neto. Johnson and Peter Kiganya tied for the ACU scoring lead with 14 points each. Kiganya also recorded 11 rebounds and supplied 4 assists. Ryan Coleman added 12 points and 4 assists for the Wildcats.

ENMU’s victory was its first at ACU since a 101-91 triumph on Feb. 6, 1993. The Hounds qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament in 1992-93, concluding the year at 23-7.

Eastern New Mexico continues LSC South action on Saturday, Feb. 20, at Angelo State University. The Greyhounds and the Rams are scheduled to get underway at 7:00 p.m. (MST).