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Athletic Report
January 26, 2002

ANGELO STATE IMPROVES TO 16-4, 4-0 LSC, WITH 73-61 VICTORY OVER GREYHOUNDS
Cedric Palmer Leads ENMU with 25 Points
PORTALES, NM – Eastern New Mexico University trailed the defending Lone Star Conference South Division champion, Angelo State University, by just four points, 49-45, with 10:30 remaining in the game, but the Rams held off the Greyhounds for a 73-61 victory, Jan. 26 at Greyhound Arena.

ASU, which won for the 12 time in its last 13 games, improved to 16-4 on the season and to 4-0 in the LSC South. ENMU lost for the first time at home this season (6-1), while falling to 10-7 overall, 1-2 in the LSC South. The Rams opened the game with a 10-2 run. Eastern answered with an 8-2 run, cutting the ASU lead to 12-10 with 13:16 left in the half.

Angelo State held ENMU to just four points over the next 6:55, as the Rams increased their advantage to 12 points, 26-14. Eastern responded again, this time with an 11-2 run. The Hounds pulled within three points, 28-25, on a dunk by Cedric Palmer (Jr., F, Houston, TX/McLennan C.C.) with 2:08 on the clock.

ENMU pulled within three points two more times in the first half, including a put-back slam dunk by Randy Johnson (Jr., G, Italy, TX/McLennan C.C.) with 6 seconds left in the half. ASU’s Jermel Brooks, who led the Rams with 24 points during the game, closed the half with a 30-foot 3-pointer at the buzzer. Angelo State led 35-29 at the break.

The Greyhounds trailed just 44-41 when Jamaal Hunnicutt (Fr., F, Amarillo, TX/Hill J.C.) scored with 12:48 left. Angelo State earned five consecutive points for a 49-41 advantage at the 11:53 mark, as Tyree Williams recorded a basket and Jay Lewis added a 3-point shot. Layups by Jonathan Cooper (Jr., G, Richton Park, IL/Chaffey College) and Palmer, trimmed ASU’s lead to four points, 49-45, less than a minute and a half later.

ENMU stayed within two possessions of the Rams until DeShawn Davis canned a 3-pointer for ASU at the 7:13 mark. Davis’ basket gave the Rams a 57-48 lead. ASU eventually took a 12-point lead, 65-53, on a layup by Williams with 2:24 left. The Hounds were unable to get back within single digits the rest of the way. Palmer was the game’s top scorer with 25 points. He also tied for game-high honors with 9 rebounds.

Palmer was 10 of 13 from the field, and converted 5 of 7 free throws. He upped his season scoring average to 13.2 points per game. Cooper also finished in double figures for ENMU. He scored 10 points to go with 5 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals. Joel Simpson (Jr., F, Detroit, MI/Kilgore College) tallied 9 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, while Carlton Lewis (So., G, Muleshoe, TX/Muleshoe H.S.) led ENMU with 4 assists.

Brooks’ 24 points led ASU. Williams chipped in an additional 21 point, hit 10 of 14 field goals, and grabbed 9 rebounds. Davis finished the game with 10 pints, 2 assists and 3 steals. Corey Williams added 6 points and 7 boards.

The Rams earned a slim 36-35 rebounding edge, and shot 54.0% (27 of 50) as a team.The Greyhounds, who connected on just 38.2% of their shots in the first half (13 of 34), improved to 46.4% (13 of 28) in the second half. The Hounds sank 41.9% of their shots overall (26 of 62).

Eastern New Mexico continues its six-game homestand on Monday, Jan. 28, against arch rival West Texas A&M University. Tipoff at Greyhound Arena is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. (MST). The Zias also will host WTAMU on Monday, with game time slated for 6:00 p.m. (MST).

There will be a FREE tailgate party in the Greyhound Arena parking lot starting at 5:30 p.m. (MST). It will also be High School Night, with all high school students admitted FREE. The Clovis High School Band will perform throughout the evening.