ENMU Finishes Season-Opener with 21-10 Run, as Greyhounds Defeat Incarnate Word, 76-62
Coleman, Washington each Score 18 Points for Eastern

PORTALES, NM- Eastern New Mexico University led by a slim 55-52 margin with 5:04 left in the game, but the Greyhounds went on a 13-4 run as part of a 21-10 surge to end the contest, sending ENMU to a 76-62 win over the University of the Incarnate Word in the season-opener, Nov. 18 at Greyhound Arena. Incarnate Word fell to 1-1 on the season.

The Greyhounds, who were 20-8 in 2002-03, placed three players in double figures. Garland Coleman (Sr., G, Chicago, IL/Homewood-Flossmoor HS) and Jamal Washington (Jr., G, Ontario, CA/Victor Valley College) each scored 18 points. Edmound Elzy (Jr., F, Victorville, CA/Barstow CC) added 15 points. Jamaal Hunnicutt (Sr., F, Amarillo, TX/Hill JC) contributed a game-high 11 rebounds to go with eight points, five steals and two assists.

ENMU and UIW stayed close for most of the first half. The Crusaders led 15-10 at the 12:10 mark, and the Greyhounds owned a 26-20 advantage with 6:10 remaining in the half, but there were five ties and five lead changes. Eastern held a 33-31 edge at the break.

There were two more ties and four more lead changes before ENMU moved in front for good. Incarnate Word tied the game at 33-33, then went on a 10-6 run for a 43-39 lead. Eastern scored the next eight points to pass the Crusaders for a 47-43 margin. Coleman's layup during the 8-0 run gave Eastern the lead for the final time with 11:43 remaining.

The Greyhounds led by just three points before their 13-4 run gave ENMU control. The run was started by Elzy, who hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 4:46 to go. Robert Tovar missed a 3-pointer for UIW on the next possession and the ball popped out to Eastern's Paul Forrest (Jr., G, Fort Worth, TX/Florida College) as the teams scrambled for the rebound. Forrest moved quickly down the floor and scored on a layup, giving ENMU a 60-52 edge.

Kyle Milson sank a 3-pointer for Incarnate Word with 3:56 left to cut the margin to 60-55. Eastern responded with an 8-1 run that included two free throws by Elzy after UIW Head Coach Al Grushkin was called for technical foul with 3:26 remaining. Elzy's charity shots made it 64-55. Washington tacked on a basket with 2:20 left and a pair of free throws at the 1:48 mark to give the Hounds a 68-56 lead.

ENMU's leading scorers, Coleman and Washington, provided solid play at both ends of the court. Coleman earned four rebounds, three steals, and two assists, while Washington supplied six rebounds, three steals and one assist. He also hit 8 of 9 free throws, including 4 of 4 in the final two minutes. Elzy grabbed seven boards and earned two steals to go with his 15 points.

Tovar topped the Incarnate Word scoring chart with 17 points. D' Hudson added 16 points, including 3 of 8 on three-pointers. Hudson also registered five assists, four rebounds and two steals. Chris Johnson provided 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots.

ENMU connected on 47.4% from the field (27 of 57) and converted 20 of 24 free throw attempts (83.3%). The Hounds were 2 of 6 on three-pointers. UIW shot 37.0% (20 of 54) on field goals and made 15 of 20 free throws (75.0%). The Crusaders committed 21 turnovers, while forcing 16 turnovers by ENMU.

The Greyhounds do not play at home again until December 31, when they host Oklahoma Panhandle State University at 3 p.m. (MST). Eastern will play eight consecutive road games, starting with games at the Ryland Milner Classic at Northwest Missouri State University on Friday, Nov. 21 and Saturday, Nov. 22. ENMU opens the event against Rockhurst College on Friday at 2 p.m. (MST). NW Missouri plays Warner Southern College in the other first round game at 7 p.m. (MST) on Friday.