NMSU Scores Inside in 78-44 win over ENMU at Pan American Center
Aggies Limit Greyhounds to 21.4% on Field Goals

LAS CRUCES, NM - The New Mexico State University Aggies led Eastern New Mexico University by nine points, 32-23, at halftime, then pulled away in the second half, as NMSU defeated Eastern, 78-44, Nov. 29, at the Pan American Center. New Mexico State earned a 22-2 scoring advantage in the lane over the final 20 minutes and held ENMU to just 21.4% shooting for the game (12 of 56), including 16.7% in the second half (4 of 24). NMSU improved to 3-0 on the season, while the Greyhounds fell to 2-2.

ENMU shot only 25.0% in the first half, but stayed within nine points at the intermission by sinking 7 of 10 free throws, compared to 2 of 4 at the line for NMSU. The Greyhounds were behind by only five points, 20-15, after Brent Cooper (Sr., G, Mobile, AL/Faulkner State College) scored with 5:35 left in the half. ENMU was just four points back, 25-21, following a basket by Jamaal Hunnicutt (Jr., F, Amarillo, TX/Hill JC) at the 2:27 mark.

New Mexico State scored the next seven points for a 32-21 lead. The Aggies gave up the final two points of the half when Jamal Washington (Jr., G, Ontario, CA/Victor Valley College) hit two free throws with 27 seconds remaining. David Hamilton (Sr., G, Grand Prairie, TX/Cisco JC) missed a 3-pointer with one second left that would have cut the deficit to six points.

The Aggies took charge over the final 20 minutes by pounding the ball inside to senior forwards James Moore and Gary Jackson. Moore scored 13 of his game-high 19 points in the final period, while Jackson hit for eight of his 18 points in the second half. NMSU earned 11 layups after halftime, including three by junior forward Jeff Jones, who scored all six of his points in the second half.

Even so, the Greyhounds started the half by answering each of NMSU's first two baskets with points of their own. Hunnicutt offset the first basket when he scored at the 19:10 mark, and Edmound Elzy (Jr., F, Victorville, CA/Barstow CC) hit a jumper with 17:00 remaining to keep ENMU within nine points at 36-27.

Elzy's basket was Eastern's second score on its first three shots of the period, but ENMU hit just two more shots on 21 attempts the rest of the way. NMSU led 42-28 with 15:27 left in the game and held a 51-34 advantage at the 9:28 mark. New Mexico State eventually stretched the margin to 35 points, 77-42, after a layup by Jones with 54 seconds left.

In addition to Moore with 19 points and Jackson with 18 points, the Aggies also received 11 points from Kelsey Cooks and 10 points from Allen Haynes. Crooks led all players with 11 rebounds, helping NMSU take a 50-38 edge on the glass. Jackson hauled down nine boards and Haynes contributed seven rebounds.

Moore blocked five shots and had five rebounds. He also earned three assists and two steals. NMSU blocked a total of eight shots on the night.

Elzy topped ENMU with 11 points. Irshaun Pinckney (Jr., G, Clovis, NM/Clovis HS) added eight points, while Hunnicutt and Garland Coleman (Sr., G, Chicago, IL/Homewood-Flossmoor HS) each tallied seven points. Hunnicutt tied Elzy for Eastern's rebounding lead with eight, and also had three steals, two assists and one blocked shot.

Hunnicutt was 3 of 14 from the floor, while Elzy went 2 for 12. Washington went 0 for 7 and Kennis Green (Jr., F, Houston, TX/Blinn College) was 0 for 5. Pinckney (2 for 3) and Coleman (3 for 6) were the only Greyhounds to shoot at least 50%.

Eastern converted 19 of 27 free throws. Elzy was 6 for 6 , Washington was 5 for 6 and Pinckney was 4 for 4. New Mexico State was 10 of 13 at the line.

The Greyhounds return to action on Monday, Dec. 1, at Lubbock Christian University. Game time in Lubbock, Texas, is set for 6 p.m. (MST). LCU is currently 4-2, including wins over NCAA Division I opponents Rhode Island (74-68 on Nov. 23) and Bradley (89-81 on Nov. 25). Last year, ENMU defeated LCU, 83-60, at Greyhound Arena.