Athletic Report
January 3, 2002

GREYHOUNDS SLIP PAST BRONCHOS IN CLOSING MINUTES, 88-85
EDMOND, OK – Rashad Sullivan (Jr., G, Enid, OK/Rose State J.C.) gave Eastern New Mexico University the lead for good on a jumper with 2:34 remaining, and the Greyhounds went on to defeat the University of Central Oklahoma, 88-85, Jan. 3 in a Lone Star Conference crossover game in Edmond, Okla.

The Greyhounds shot 50.0% from the field (40 of 80) and outrebounded UCO, 48-31, while improving to 6-3 overall. Central Oklahoma, which shot just 42.9% (27 of 63), fell to 6-6. Crossover games do not count in the LSC divisional standings.

Eastern overcame a huge difference in fouls and free throw attempts. The Greyhounds were whistled for 24 fouls, while UCO was called for just 9 fouls. Central Oklahoma converted 23 of 31 free throws. ENMU sank 4 of 5 free throw attempts. Central Oklahoma also converted 8 of 19 three-pointers, while Eastern hit 4 of 9 three- point shots. The Greyhounds made 40 field goals overall, compared to 27 field goals for UCO.

ENMU stayed in front for most of the first half. The Hounds held a 35-34 advantage with 4:02 remaining in the period, after Cedric Palmer (Jr., F, Houston, TX/McLennan C.C.) completed a three-point play on a jumper and a foul shot. UCO, which led for the previous two minutes, regained the lead, 36-35, at the 3:07 mark, on a jumper by Mahijah Davis. The Bronchos led 44-42 at halftime.

Charles Smith scored 11 first-half points and Davis tallied 10 first-half points. ENMU tied the score five times in the first 15 minutes of the second half before pulling in front, 75-73, on a layup by Jon Belt (Jr., F, Broken Arrow, OK/Northeastern Oklahoma A&M) with 5:17 on the clock. One tie and five lead changes later, Sullivan hit the final go-ahead jumper for ENMU. Sullivan’s shot gave the Greyhounds an 84-83 lead.

Palmer added a tip-in with 1:47 to go, but Eastern’s lead was reduced to a single point when Norton Edmonds sank two free throws with 30 seconds left. Palmer added a finishing touch to the victory with 9 seconds remaining, when he hauled in a breakaway pass and dunked the ball for an 88-85 Eastern lead.

Edmonds missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer for UCO with two seconds to go. Both teams had balanced attacks, as the Bronchos placed six players in double figures and ENMU had five players with 10 or more points.

Joel Simpson (Jr., F, Detroit, MI/Kilgore College) led the Hounds with 18 points and 14 rebounds, while hitting 8 of 10 shots from the field. Belt added 17 points and 8 rebounds, while Palmer scored 16 points, Jonathan Cooper (Jr., G, Richton Park, IL/Chaffey College) tallied 14 points and Randy Johnson (Jr., G, Italy, TX/McLennan C.C.) supplied 10 points. Cooper led all players with 6 assists.

Three players tied for the UCO scoring lead with 16 points. They were Edmonds, DeMario Jones and Charles Smith. Davis, Dantrail Coleman and Jason Pritchett each scored 10 points. Pritchett also grabbed a team-high 7 rebounds, while Davis and Jones added 5 rebounds apiece. Coleman led the Bronchos with 4 assists and tied for the team with 3 steals. Edmonds also earned 3 steals for UCO.

ENMU is now 2-0 on its 3-game road trip. The Greyhounds will complete the road trip at #2-ranked Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla. Tipoff on Saturday, Jan. 5, is set for 3:00 p.m. (MST).