Athletic Report
January 20, 2001

ANGELO STATE DEFEATS GREYHOUNDS, 79-56
Rams Reach 10-0 at Home After Trailing By 6 at Half
SAN ANGELO, TX — Angelo State University held Eastern New Mexico University to 11 points in the second half, as the Rams overcame a 45-39 halftime deficit to defeat the visiting Greyhounds, 79-56, Jan. 20 in San Angelo, Texas.

With the Lone Star Conference South Division win, ASU improved to 11-5 overall, including 10-0 at home and 2-0 in the LSC South. Eastern New Mexico dropped to 4-12, 1-1 in the LSC South.

ENMU shot 64.3% from the field in the first half, as the Greyhounds sank 18 of 28 field goals. In the second half, the Hounds scored just one point in the first 10 minutes, and finished the stanza 3 of 21 (14.3%) from the floor.

The Greyhounds were in front, 46-41, after Brenton Robinson (Jr., F/C, Tucson, AZ/ Central Arizona College) hit the first of two free throws with 19:12 left in the game. Angelo State scored the next 23 points to take a 64-46 advantage.

ENMU’s first field goal of the second half came on a driving layup by Rudy Charles (Fr., G, Las Vegas, NV/Durango H.S.) at the 9:55 mark. Both teams scored in streaks during the first half. The game was tied, 4-4, early in the contest, but ASU reeled off 13 straight to take a 17-4 lead.

ENMU countered with a 13-point run of its own to tie the game. Later, the Rams led 26-22, only to have ENMU answer with a 9-0 run to reclaim the lead, 31-26. ASU led 39-37 late in the half, but the Hounds scored the final eight points of the period. ASU’s top scorers were James Gray and Justin Hardin, each with 23 points.

Hardin converted 8 of 12 field goals, including 3 of 6 three-pointers. He also earned 5 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals in 37 minutes. Gray was 10 of 19, while sinking 3 of 8 three-point shots. Darwin Carter contributed 17 points, 6 assists and 3 steals for the Rams.

The Greyhounds had balanced scoring, with four players in double figures. Charles scored a team-high 15 points on 6 of 12 shooting. He also grabbed 9 rebounds and earned 3 steals. Kevin Iverson (Jr., G, Chicago, IL/Elgin C.C.) and Garland Coleman (Fr., G/F, Chicago, IL/ Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) each provided 12 points, while senior guard Brandon Ridenour (Lovington, NM/New Mexico J.C.) added 10 points. Coleman, who entered the game as ENMU’s top rebounder (5.5 average), hauled down a game-high 11 boards.

ENMU concluded the game with a 38-29 rebounding margin. The Hounds achieved a 21-11 advantage on the boards over the first 20 minutes, but ASU gained an 18-17 rebounding edge in the second half. ENMU committed 14 of its 24 turnovers in the second half, while Angelo State lost the ball just 7 times during the game.

Angelo State shot 45.2% for the game (28 of 62). The Rams converted just 12 of 33 field goals (36.4%) in the first half. ASU sank 16 of 29 shots (55.2%) in the second half.

Eastern New Mexico, currently 1-3 on a 5-game road trip, will conclude the road swing on Tuesday, Jan. 23 at West Texas A&M University. Tipoff in Canyon, Texas, is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (MST).