ENMU Rolls Past Highlands, 97-68 Iverson and Coleman Score 15 Points Each

PORTALES, NM – Senior guard Kevin Iverson (Chicago, IL/Elgin CC) and junior guard/forward Garland Coleman (Flossmoor, IL/Homewood-Flossmoor HS) scored 15 points apiece, leading Eastern New Mexico University to a 97-68 victory over New Mexico Highlands, in the season-opener for both teams, Nov. 22 at Greyhound Arena. ENMU placed five players in double figures, and had 10 different players contribute to the scoring.

The Greyhounds were spotted a 2-0 lead when NMHU was called for a technical foul prior to the tip-off and ENMU senior forward Jon Belt (Broken Arrow, OK/NE Oklahoma A&M) hit both free throws. The technical was called when the Cowboys started one player who was not officially listed as a starter.

ENMU expanded its lead by scoring five of the next seven points for a 7-2 advantage, but the Hounds were in front just 9-5 with 15:43 remaining in the half. Eastern then took command of the game with a 10-0 run for a 19-5 lead at the 11:05 mark. Highlands cut the deficit to 19-10, but ENMU continued to pull away. The Greyhounds led 47-22 at the half.

NMHU played stronger in the second half, but never seriously challenged Eastern’s lead. The Cowboys never got closer than 18 points, despite shooting 56.7% from the field over the final 20 minutes. ENMU outpaced the Cowboys by shooting 64.5% in the second half, ultimately claiming a 50-46 edge during the final period.

Although Eastern scored 47 first-half points, the Greyhounds did not have a player in double figures until Belt connected on a lay-up with 18:37 left in the game. Iverson scored 11 points in the second half, while Coleman tallied nine points in the second half.

For the game, Iverson and Coleman were followed by Cedric Palmer (Sr., F, Houston, TX/McLennan CC), with 12 points, Randy Johnson (Sr., G, Italy, TX/McLennan CC), with 11 points, and Belt with 10 points. Brent Cooper (Jr., G, Mobile, AL/Faulkner State College), Irshaun Pinckney (So., G, Clovis, NM/Clovis HS) and Jamaal Hunnicutt (So., F, Amarillo, TX/Hill JC) each added eight points for the Greyhounds.

Palmer topped Eastern’s rebounding chart with eight boards. Belt added seven rebounds and Coleman contributed six rebounds. Iverson recorded five assists, blocked two shots and earned three steals, while Cooper provided five assists and six steals.
ENMU shot 59.1% for the game, including 4 of 6 on three-pointers (66.7%). The Hounds also converted 71.4% at the free throw line (15 of 21). Eastern built a 40-27 rebounding margin and committed 11 fewer turnovers than NMHU, which finished with 31 turnovers on the night.

The Cowboys, who managed just 30.8% shooting in the first half, finished the game at 44.6% overall. NMHU converted 4 of 11 three-pointers (36.4%) and sank 14 of 21 free throws (66.7%). Glenn Brown led Highlands with 13 points, while Torry Peoples, Elijah Bryant and Matt Garcia contributed 10 points apiece.

Bryant led NMHU with seven assists, while Aaron Gonzales scored nine points, grabbed five rebounds, registered six assists and achieved five steals. Jamaal Weaver of NMHU topped all players with four blocked shots.

Eastern plays at home again on Tuesday, Nov. 26, when the Greyhounds will host Oklahoma Panhandle State University at 7 p.m. (MST). Following Tuesday’s game, ENMU will not play at home again until Dec. 30 at 3 p.m. (MST) against Lubbock Christian University.