Pittsburg State (#25) Defeats Greyhounds in Las Vegas
Wallace Leads Eastern with 19 Points

Box Score

LAS VEGAS, NEV — The Pittsburg State University Gorillas, led by a game-high 26 points from Eddie Jackson, including 23 points in the second half, defeated Eastern New Mexico University, 83-63, at the Las Vegas Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 18, in Las Vegas, Nev. PSU, ranked #25 in the NABC Poll for NCAA Division II, improved to 8-0 on the season, while the Greyhounds dropped to 3-6.

The Hounds have faced an exceptionally challenging schedule so far this season, as four of the losses have been to teams that were undefeated at the time, while one loss was to a team with just one defeat and the remaining loss was to a team with only two losses. Four opponents have been nationally ranked, including three in the current NABC Poll (SW Oklahoma, #6; Washburn, #7; Pitt State, #25) and one in the NAIA Poll (Lubbock Christian, #14).

Reggie Wallace (Jr., G, Pasedena, CA/Mt. San Antonio College) was Eastern’s top scorer with 19 points against the Gorillas. He was 3 of 5 on three-point shots and also provided the Greyhounds with four rebounds, two assists and a steal. Jamaal Hunnicutt (Sr., F, Amarillo, TX/Hill JC) and Jason Breland (Jr., G, Los Angeles, CA/Mt. San Antonio College) added 10 points each for ENMU. Hunnicutt also led the Hounds with six rebounds and three assists, and tied for the team lead with two steals.

Eastern fell behind, 34-22, during the first half, while connecting on just 8 of 28 shots from the floor (26.8%). The Hounds were 4 for 4 at the free throw line in the first 20 minutes, but PSU went to the line much more often and converted 11 of 16 charity shots before the intermission. The Hounds held Pitt State to 36.7% shooting from the floor (11 of 30), but Eastern committed 13 of its 22 turnovers in the opening period.

The Hounds trailed by just four points, 20-16, with 5:25 left in the half, before PSU went on a 10-0 run. Andy Wachter scored five points during the run for his only points of the game. Pitt State owned a 30-16 advantage with 2:06 remaining in the half.

ENMU recorded the first two points of the second half on free throws by Hunnicutt to cut the margin to 34-24, but never got closer the rest of the way. The Hounds trailed by 11 points, 39-28, after Wallace put in a layup at the 17:45 mark, only to have the Gorillas counter with a 9-0 run over the next 1:15 for a 48-28 lead.

Jackson, who entered the game averaging 25.6 points and nearly five three-pointers per game, did not make a field goal in the first half (0 of 4). He hit 3 of 4 free throws in the opening stanza for his only points prior to the second half.

Over the final 20 minutes, however, Jackson sank 6 of 9 field goals and was 7 of 9 at the charity stripe. After missing his only three-point attempt of the first half, Jackson made 4 of 7 long-range shots in the second half. He recorded seven of Pitt State’s nine points during the run that gave the Gorillas a 20-point lead with 16:30 to go.

Jackson was the only PSU player in double figures. Greg Campbell scored nine points to go with six assists and four rebounds. Zac Shepherd also tallied nine points, while Jason Taylor contributed eight and Wes Thornton scored seven. Thornton also led all players with seven rebounds. Justin White recorded three of Pitt State’s 10 steals and also blocked two shots.

PSU achieved a 35-33 rebounding margin, and finished the game with 24 of 37 (64.9%) at the free throw line. ENMU was 15 of 19 (78.9%) at the charity stripe. PSU lost the ball 18 times, with nine turnovers in each half.

For the game, the Gorillas shot 49.1% (26 of 53), bolstered by 65.2% shooting in the second half (15 of 23). The Greyhounds were 21 of 55 from the field (38.2%) after improving to 48.1% (13 of 27) in the second period. ENMU made 6 of 15 three-pointers, while PSU converted 7 of 16 attempts from three-point range.

ENMU will complete the Las Vegas Invitational against St. Mary’s University (Texas) on Sunday, Dec. 19. Game time is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. MST.