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Athletic Report
January 12, 2002

GREYHOUNDS HOLD OFF EAST CENTRAL, 67-63 ENMU Improves to 8-4 on the Season
PORTALES, NM – Junior forward Cedric Palmer (Houston, TX/McLennan C.C.) scored a game-high 20 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, as Eastern New Mexico University held off East Central University, 67-63, in an LSC crossover game at Greyhound Arena on Saturday, Jan. 12.

Palmer’s performance helped ENMU improve to 8-4 heading into a non-conference game at NCAA Division I opponent New Mexico State University on Tuesday, Jan. 15. East Central dropped to 4-10. Crossover games do not count in the LSC divisional standings.

Eastern trailed 11-5 just over seven minutes into the game, but the Greyhounds rallied to lead 32-22 with 2:42 left in the opening period. ENMU held a 36-29 advantage at the halftime break, with Palmer scoring 12 points and hauling down 6 boards over the first 20 minutes. The Greyhounds opened the second half with a 19-8 run for a 55-37 lead with 14:05 left in the game.

Randy Johnson (Jr., G, Italy, TX/McLennan C.C.) scored 10 points during the run, on four baskets, including a pair of 3-point shots. ECU trailed by 17 points, 61-44, with 8:40 left, and faced a 14-point deficit, 66-52, after Palmer scored and hit a free throw with 4:48 remaining.

Even so, the Tigers battled back, cutting Eastern’s lead to just five points, 66-61, following a pair of charity shots by Ryan Eaves at the 1:43 mark. Both teams missed shots on their next possessions, sending the game into the final minute with Eastern still holding a five-point advantage.

Palmer was fouled with 50 seconds left. He missed the first free throw, but sank the second attempt, giving the Greyhounds a 67-61 lead.B.J. Davis scored for the Tigers with 36 seconds remaining, but ECU was unable to score again.

Johnson and Jonathan Cooper (Jr., G, Richton Park, IL/Chaffey College) joined Palmer in double figures for ENMU. Johnson finished the game with 12 points on 5 of 7 shooting (2 of 4 three-pointers). He also supplied Eastern with 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals. Cooper added 10 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists for the Hounds.

ENMU shot 43.5% for the game (27 of 62), including 5 of 12 three-point shots (41.7%). The Greyhounds also achieved a 43-38 rebounding margin. ECU converted 39.4% of its shots (26 of 66), but made just 5 of 21 attempts (23.8%) from 3-point range.

The Tigers were led by Demarcus Bolton, who connected for 18 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and supplied 3 steals. Davis produced 12 points and recorded a game-high 10 rebounds. Jermaine Willis hit 5 of 7 field goals for 10 points. Eaves tallied 8 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.

Eastern’s game on Jan. 15 at New Mexico State is set for a 7:00 p.m. (MST) tipoff at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces, N.M. The Greyhounds last played NMSU on Dec. 1, 1992, in a 73-64 loss to the Aggies. That game also was played in Las Cruces. After ENMU plays at New Mexico State, the Greyhounds will travel to Stephenville, Texas, for their LSC South opener against Tarleton State University at 7:00 p.m. (MST) on Thursday, Jan. 17.

The Hounds will return to Greyhound Arena on Saturday, Jan. 19, to open a six-game homestand against non-conference foe Oklahoma Panhandle State University. Tipoff against OPSU is set for 7:00 p.m. (MST).