Athletic Report
November 19, 2001

GREYHOUNDS DEFEAT WESTERN NEW MEXICO AT “THE PIT” IN ALBUQUERQUE, 75-61
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Jonathan Cooper (Jr., G, Richton Park, IL/Chaffey College) scored 15 points in his first game for Eastern New Mexico University, and the Greyhounds opened the second half with a 26-2 run, as they defeated Western New Mexico University, 75-41, Nov. 19 at “The Pit” in Albuquerque, N.M.

The game was played prior to the University of New Mexico men’s basketball game against Texas Southern University, won by the Lobos, 97-51. The Greyhounds led 32-30 at halftime, but scored the first eight points of the second half for a 40-30 advantage.

After Brian Jackson hit a layup for WNMU, the Hounds tallied another 18 unanswered points for a 58-32 lead with 12:09 remaining. Cooper scored 8 points, and Jon Belt (Jr., F, Broken Arrow, OK/Northeastern Oklahoma A&M) added 7 points, during the 26-2 run by the Greyhounds.

WNMU finally scored again on two free throws by Aaron Aceves with 11:28 on the clock. The charity shots by Aceves sent Western New Mexico went on a 19-6 scoring surge that cut the deficit in half, 64-51, with 4:34 left in the game. The Mustangs eventually reduced ENMU’s lead to nine points, 69-60, with just under 2:00 to go.

Belt and Coleman connected on field goals, and Cooper sank a pair of free throws, as Eastern scored six of the game’s final seven points. Cooper, who sat out the 2000-01 season to establish NCAA residency, led all players with his 15-point effort.

Rashad Sullivan (Jr., G, Enid, OK/Rose State College) hit for 12 points, while Belt added 11 points and Coleman scored 12. Sullivan recorded 3 assists, 4 steals, and 6 boards. Cooper, Belt and Jamaal Hunnicutt (Fr., F, Amarillo, TX/Hill J.C.) each grabbed 5 rebounds.

Malcolm Connor topped the Mustangs with 13 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists. Jackson scored 11 points, hit on 5 of 10 field goals, and added 5 rebounds. Jeremiah King finished the game with 8 points, 4 boards and 3 steals.

The Greyhounds, who ended an 11-game losing streak with the win, were playing in their first game of the season.Eastern’s last victory of the 2000-01 season was a 67-66 triumph at Abilene Christian on Jan. 18, 2001. WNMU, which went 1-26 last year, fell to 0-2 on the season.

ENMU returns to action on Friday, Nov. 23, at New Mexico Highlands at 7:00 p.m. (MST). The Hounds also play NMHU on Monday, Nov. 26 at Greyhound Arena at 8:00 p.m. (MST). The ENMU women’s basketball team also hosts NMHU on Monday, starting at 6:00 p.m. (MST).