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Athletic Report
January 17, 2002

TARLETON STATE USES EARLY 2ND HALF RUN TO DEFEAT HOUNDS 65-48 IN LSC OPENER
STEPHENVILLE, TX – Tarleton State University opened the second half with a 15-2 run against Eastern New Mexico University, and the Texans went on to defeat the Greyhounds, 65-48, in the Lone Star Conference South Division opener for both teams. TSU, 11-1 in its last 12 games, improved to 14-4 overall and 1-0 in the LSC South. ENMU dropped to 8-6 on the season, 0-1 in the LSC South.

Eastern New Mexico trailed by just five points, 27-22, at halftime, but the Texans were hot at the start of the second half. TSU’s 15-2 run in the first 5:32 of the period included two 3-pointers by Andy Hudson and one 3-pointer by Chavis McCollister. The Texans were 5 of 21 from 3-point range during the game.

After Jon Belt (Jr., F, Broken Arrow, OK/NE Oklahoma A&M) and Jonathan Cooper (Jr., G, Richton Park, IL/Chaffey College) scored back-to-back baskets for ENMU to cut the deficit to 14 points, the Texans answered with a 6-0 run. TSU led 48-28 with 10:06 left in the game. ENMU got as close as 11 points, 59-48 with 1:08 remaining on a 3-pointer by Cooper, but the Greyhounds never cut the margin to single digits.

The Greyhounds connected on just 35.6% of their field goal attempts during the game, including 33.3% (9 of 27) in the second half. Tarleton State shot 48.0% for the game, after sinking 57.1% (12 of 21) over the final 20 minutes.

Cooper topped Eastern’s scoring chart with 16 points. He also grabbed 5 rebounds and provided 2 assists.Joel Simpson (Jr., F, Detroit, MI/Kilgore College) added 9 points on 3 of 3 shooting, while Cedric Palmer (Jr., F, Houston, TX/McLennan C.C.) scored 5 points and hauled down 5 rebounds.

ENMU converted 14 of 17 free throws (82.4%), while Tarleton State made just 12 of 21 charity shots (57.1%). The Greyhounds also made fewer turnovers than TSU, committing 19 miscues compared to 22 for the Texans. The Texans, who earned a 25-6 rebounding margin in the first half, outrebounded Eastern 41-23 for the game.

It was only the third time ENMU has lost the rebounding battle this season. The only other times were against Northeastern State University (Okla.), ranked #1 in NCAA Division II, and against New Mexico State University of NCAA Division I.

TSU’s leading scorer was Vincent Bridgewater, who scored 19 points and sank 7 of 9 field goals. Bridgewater also grabbed 5 rebounds for the Texans. Danny Jones contributed 14 points and 14 rebounds, while making 7 of 11 shots and blocking three field goal attempts by ENMU.Hudson followed with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists, while Albert Robinson tallied 10 points. McCollister scored 5 points to go with 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals.

The Greyhounds return to action on Saturday, Jan. 19, against Oklahoma Panhandle State University in the first game of a six-game homestand. Tipoff at Greyhound Arena is set for 7:00 p.m. (MST). The Hounds defeated OPSU, 89-69, on Dec. 29 in Goodwell, Okla.