Athletic Report
February 21, 2002

GREYHOUNDS CLINCH WINNING RECORD WITH 86-80 VICTORY OVER ANGELO STATE
ENMU Moves Close to LSC Tournament Berth
SAN ANGELO, TX – Jamaal Hunnicutt (Fr., F, Amarillo, TX/Hill J.C./Randall H.S.) almost recorded a triple double, while scoring a career-high 18 points and grabbing a career-high 17 rebounds, as Eastern New Mexico University kept its Lone Star Conference Tournament hopes alive with an 86-80 win over Angelo State University, Feb. 21 at the Junell Center.

ENMU and Angelo State, both 5-6 in the LSC South, are tied for the fourth and final LSC Tournament berth from the South Division with just one regular season game remaining for each team. ENMU, which improved to 14-11 overall, clinched its first winning season since 1996-97, when the Greyhounds were 18-9 overall. Angelo State fell to 17-10 on the season.

The Greyhounds, who trail West Texas A&M by one game for third place in the LSC South, can clinch their first LSC Tournament berth since 1996-97 with a win at Abilene Christian on Saturday, Feb. 23 (4:00 p.m. MST). ENMU also can qualify for the tournament if the Hounds lose, as long as Angelo State falls to West Texas A&M, and Texas A&M-Commerce loses at division-leading Tarleton State.

Hunnicutt, who redshirted last season at Hill Junior College following a stellar high school career at Canyon Randall H.S., not only provided double-digit scoring and rebounding, but also supplied a game-high 9 assists. He was 5 of 7 from the field, hit 8 of 10 free throws and blocked two ASU shots. He nearly had a double-double at halftime, with his 13 points and 9 boards helping the Hounds take a 45-41 lead.

The score remained close through the first eight minutes of the second half, with five ties and one lead change. ASU, which moved in front, 51-49, on a layup by Jay Lewis at the 15:15 mark, eventually took a 61-54 lead. The Rams also led by seven points, 63-56, as the game entered the final 10 minutes of play.

A 9-2 run by the Greyhounds, featuring a 3-pointer by Randy Johnson (Jr., F, Italy, TX/McLennan C.C.), two baskets by Cedric Palmer (Jr., F, Houston, TX/McLennan C.C.) and a layup by Garland Coleman (So., G/F, Flossmoor, IL/Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) tied the game, 65-65, with 6:58 remaining. Three more ties and two lead changes occurred before ENMU moved in front for good with yet another lead change. Hunnicutt’s two free throws at the 3:37 mark put the Greyhounds ahead 74-73, and ENMU never trailed again.

Eastern added another six points, completing an 8-0 run, as the Hounds took an 80-73 lead with just 1:23 left. The Rams pulled within three points, 81-78, on Terrell Johnston’s 3-point basket with 55 seconds to go, but Coleman hit both ends of a two-shot foul just four seconds later. ASU cut the lead to three points again, when Corey Williams sank a basket and was fouled with 37 seconds on the clock, but Williams missed the ensuing free throw.

Following an ENMU turnover, Hunnicutt preserved the lead by blocking a shot. He also assisted on a basket by Palmer for an 85-80 lead with 24 seconds remaining. Palmer completed the scoring when he hit the second of the two free throws with 13 seconds left. The Greyhounds placed four players in double figures. Palmer led the way with 21 points, while Coleman provided a career-high 19 points. Hunnicutt’s 18 points came next, followed by Johnson with 15 points (4 of 9 on three-pointers).

Eastern built a 52-37 advantage on the boards. Hunnicutt’s 17 caroms led all players, while Palmer added 9 boards, and Coleman and Irshaun Pinckney (Fr., G, Clovis, NM/Clovis H.S.) hauled down 6 rebounds apiece. Williams led ASU with 10 rebounds. Eastern’s rebounding margin offset 22 turnovers by the Greyhounds, who forced just 10 turnovers by Angelo State.

ASU had five players in double figures, with Williams providing 17 points and Jermel Brooks tallying 15 points. Johnston contributed 14 points, Lewis added 13 and Jamaal Thomas scored 10. The Rams shot 42.1% (32 of 76) and made just 15 of 41 shots (36.6%) in the second half.

ENMU hit 46.8% of its field goals (29 of 62), including 50.0% (16 of 32) in the first half. The Hounds also made 5 of 11 three-pointers (45.5%), while limiting the Rams to 6 of 28 from behind the arc (21.4%). ENMU also sank 23 of 36 free throws. ASU was 10 of 17 at the line.