Jamal Washington Scores 21 Points in 86-73 Win over SE Oklahoma

PORTALES, NM — Jamal Washington (Jr., F, Ontario, CA/Victor Valley College) scored 21 points on 7 of 9 shooting, including 3 of 3 on 3-pointers, as Eastern New Mexico University defeated Southeastern Oklahoma State University, 86-73, in a Lone Star Conference crossover game, Jan. 3 at Greyhound Arena. ENMU improved to 8-3 on the season with its sixth consecutive win. SE Oklahoma fell to 6-4.

Although ENMU held a comfortable lead for most of the second half, the Greyhounds fell behind by 14 points during the first five minutes of the game. SE Oklahoma led 16-2 at the 15:10 mark, forcing Eastern to call its first time-out three seconds later.

After the 30-second stoppage, Eastern went on a run of its own. Washington sank his first 3-pointer of the game at the 14:53 mark to start the offensive surge. The Savages scored next on a layup by Stephen Harrel, but the Hounds countered with 20 consecutive points. ENMU moved in front, 19-18, on a 3-pointer by Kennis Green (Jr., F, Houston, TX/Blinn College) at the 10:16 mark, and held a 25-18 lead following a basket by Travazz Buckley (Jr., F, Slidell, LA/Faulkner State College) with 8:06 left in the half.

SOSU cut the deficit to a single point, 27-26, with an 8-2 run. Clint Baker completed the outburst with a basket and foul shot at the 4:15 mark.

Baker hit two foul shots with 1:25 remaining in the half to tie the score, 32-32. Eastern scored the final six points of the half, on two free throws by Washington, a basket by Buckley, and a jump shot by Washington with six seconds left.

The Hounds also recorded the first four points of the second half for a 42-32 advantage with 18:54 remaining. SE Oklahoma pulled within seven points two times over the next 1:02, but never got closer the rest of the way. The Savages did reduce the margin to eight points four times, including 65-57 at the 7:41 mark, following a 3-pointer by Bud Valerius.

ENMU led 70-60 with 6:02 left, then put the game out of reach with an 8-0 run. Buckley opened the run with a layup and closed it with a dunk at the 4:02 mark. Washington and Brent Cooper (Sr., G, Mobile, AL/Faulkner State College) also contributed two points each.

Washington’s 21 points led all scorers. It was his top offensive output since transferring to the Greyhounds this season from Victor Valley College. His previous best was 18 points against the University of the Incarnate Word in the season-opener.

Buckley tacked on 19 points for ENMU, as he hit 8 of 13 field goals and 3 of 5 free throws. Green put in 18 points on 7 of 14 field goals, including 4 of 10 three-pointers. Jamaal Hunnicutt (Jr., F, Amarillo, TX/Hill JC) hit just 1 of 6 field goals, but was 8 for 8 at the line, and scored 10 points.

Hunnicutt and Buckley led Eastern with nine rebounds apiece. Washington added eight boards and Garland Coleman (Sr., G, Chicago, IL/Homewood-Flossmoor HS) grabbed six caroms, helping ENMU earn a 48-27 rebounding edge.

Coleman and reserve point guard David Hamilton (Sr., Grand Prairie, TX/Cisco JC) led a solid passing game by providing five assists each. Overall, the Hounds earned 21 assists on 28 baskets. The Hounds committed 21 turnovers, but forced 23 miscues by SE Oklahoma.

Junior guard Irshaun Pinckney (Clovis, NM/Clovis HS) played the first five minutes of the game, but was ejected on a flagrant foul. Eric Babers of SE Oklahoma was called for a foul on the same play, but was not ejected.

The Savages were led in scoring by Jason Stampley with 16 points. Maurice Gardner added 13 points, while Baker and Jeremy Brown each recorded 10 points. Brown entered the game as SE Oklahoma’s leading scorer, with 18.0 points per game.

SOSU connected on 9 of 18 three-pointers, including 4 of 7 by Stampley and 3 of 5 by Cedric Walker. Babers led the Savages with seven rebounds and four blocked shots.

Eastern also was strong behind the 3-point arc, as the Greyhounds sank 8 of 15 trifectas. ENMU was 28 of 62 from the floor (45.2%) and hit 22 of 30 free throws (73.3%). SOSU hit 27 of 58 field goals (46.6%) and made 10 of 15 charity shots (66.7%).

The Greyhounds will conclude a three-game homestand with another LSC crossover game on Monday, Jan. 5, against East Central University. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. (MST).

ECU lost at West Texas A&M University, 78-33, on Jan. 3, after trailing 45-16 at halftime. The Tigers are currently 5-6 overall. ENMU routed ECU, 112-79, in the quarterfinals of the 2003 LSC Tournament, Mar. 4 at Greyhound Arena.