ENMU Rally Falls Short in Loss to Defending LSC Champion Northeastern State

PORTALES, NM – Defending Lone Star Conference champion Northeastern State shot 72.5% from the field and connected on 10 of 17 three-point shots, but had to hold off an Eastern New Mexico University rally to defeat the Greyhounds, 82-75, Jan. 4 at Greyhound Arena. The win improved the Redmen, ranked #15 in NCAA Division II, to 9-1 on the season, while ENMU dropped to 4-6.

NSU sank 29 of 40 field goals during the game, but converted only 14 of 25 charity shots (56.0%). Eastern shot 49.1% (28 of 57), but recorded 12 offensive rebounds and hit 14 of 15 free throws to battle until the final minute.

Both teams compete in the LSC, but the Redmen play in the North Division and ENMU competes in the South Division. Crossover games do not count in the LSC division standings.

Last year, NSU recorded two wins over the Greyhounds. The Redmen downed Eastern in a regular season game in Tahlequah, Okla., 70-51, on Jan. 5. NSU also defeated ENMU in the quarterfinals of the LSC Tournament, with the Redmen claiming a 71-59 win in Tahlequah.

In Saturday’s game, NE State hit its first 11 field goal attempts, including five 3-pointers, while building a 30-15 lead over the first 10:28. NSU’s first miss from the field came with 8:54 left in the opening half, when Darnell Hinson missed a 3-pointer. Hinson finished the game with five 3-pointers on seven attempts.

Despite Northeastern’s early offensive surge, the Greyhounds managed to get within two points, 35-33, when Royshid McKinney (Jr., F, Denton, TX/Eastfield College) rebounded his own missed shot and scored with 4:05 left in the half. The Redmen closed the stanza with a 11-2 run to claim a 46-35 halftime lead.

NSU shot 75.0% (18 of 24) in the first half, while hitting seven of 11 three-point shots. The Greyhounds converted 51.7% (15 of 29) from the field in the opening period, but made just two 3-pointers (5 attempts).

The Redmen scored the first basket of the second half, and used a 12-6 run to extend their lead to 17 points, 58-41, with 14:35 left. NE State also led 61-44 with 13:11 remaining, after Hinson sank one of his 3-pointers.

Eastern New Mexico gradually battled back into the game and got within three points, 75-72, on a 3-pointer by Brent Cooper (Jr., G, Mobile, AL/Faulkner State College) with 2:33 on the clock. NSU increased its lead to 79-72 with 1:03 to go, but ENMU cut the deficit to 79-75 at the 0:39 mark, on a basket and foul shot by Garland Coleman (Jr., G/F, Flossmoor, IL/Homewood-Flossmoor HS).

Shon Robinson of NSU converted a pair of free throw with 28 seconds left, giving the Redmen an 81-75 advantage. ENMU missed two layups and a three-point shot on its next possession. Hinson was fouled with nine seconds remaining, and converted the second of two free throws to achieve the final score.

Hinson led all players with 26 points. He was nine of 11 overall, and provided four rebounds and two assists. Robinson added 23 points, on eight of 14 shooting, including three of six on 3-pointers. He also tied Reggie Battee with a team-high six assists.
Jon Shepherd scored 14 points and was 6 of 6 as NE State’s starting center. Justin Barkley scored eight points for the Redmen. Four of NSU’s five starters played more than 30 minutes, including three players with at least 37 minutes on the floor.

ENMU received a career-high 16 points from McKinney, who hit six of 10 field goals (one 3-pointer) and connected on three of three free throws. McKinney also earned three rebounds and two assists. Kevin Iverson (Sr., G, Chicago, IL/Elgin CC) provided 13 points in just 14 minutes of playing time, while Irshaun Pinckney (So., G, Clovis, NM/Clovis HS) supplied 10 points and played 17 minutes. Four ENMU players added seven points each.

The Greyhounds return to action on Thursday, Jan. 9, at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Okla. Tipoff for the LSC crossover game is set for 7 p.m. (MST).