ENMU Routs Cameron, 86-68
Five Greyhounds Score in Double Figures

LAWTON, OK — Eastern New Mexico University placed five players in double figures, as the Greyhounds routed Cameron University, 86-68, in a Lone Star Conference crossover game on Thursday, Jan. 8. The Greyhounds, who have won eight games in a row, improved to 10-3 overall, while Cameron fell to 5-8 on the season. Crossover games do not count in the LSC divisional standings.

Irshaun Pinckney (Jr., G, Clovis, NM/Clovis HS) led the offensive charge for ENMU. He scored 18 points and was 7 of 11 from the floor. Junior forward Jamaal Hunnicutt (Amarillo, TX/Hill JC) added 16 points on 7 of 13 shooting. Garland Coleman (Sr., G, Chicago, IL/Homewood-Flossmoor HS) chipped in 13 points, while Kennis Green (Jr., F, Houston, TX/Blinn College) and Travazz Buckley (Jr., F, Slidell, LA/Faulkner State College) each tallied 12 points.

The Greyhounds also controlled the glass, with 50 rebounds compared to 36 boards for the Aggies. Hunnicutt hauled down a game-high 12 boards, while Buckley earned eight boards and Coleman contributed six.

ENMU trailed early in the game, 10-8, but went on the 9-0 run for a 19-10 advantage with 13:03 left in the first half. Cameron also rallied, and eventually tied the game at 19-19 and 21-21. ENMU closed the half by outscoring the Aggies 19-10 over the final nine minutes, as the Hounds took a 40-31 lead into the break.

Buckley scored 10 of his points and grabbed five of his rebounds in the first half. He passed the leadership role to Pinckney and Hunnicutt in the second half. Pinckney scored 12 of his 18 points in the second half, while Hunnicutt scored 10 points and grabbed six boards over the final 20 minutes.

Hunnicutt earned the first basket of the second half, but Mike Wallace scored next to get Cameron back within nine points. Green countered with a breakaway dunk at the 18:13 mark, before Wallace scored eleven seconds later to cut the lead to 44-35.

The Aggies never got closer, as ENMU went on a 13-0 run to build a 22-point lead, 57-35. Coleman recorded five of the first seven points in the run, including a layup with 16:00 remaining that increased the lead to 51-35. Green tallied four points during the surge, while a basket by Pinckney completed the run with 13:19 remaining.

The Aggies finally ended a 4:53 drought with a layup by Billy Joe Kamphaus at the 13:09 mark, but Cameron still trailed by 20 points. The Greyhounds extended the lead to 23 points twice, at 68-45 with 9:55 on the clock and at 72-49 with 8:30 left. Eastern’s lead was at least 17 points the rest of the way.

Cameron received a game-high 21 points from Jeremy Amos. He was 7 of 12 on field goals, and hit 5 of 8 three-point shots. Marcus Girtmon scored 16 points for the Aggies. Chad Crawford registered 12 points, four rebounds, and two blocked shots. Melvin Mitchell led the Aggies with five rebounds.

ENMU point guard Brent Cooper (Sr., Mobile, AL/Faulkner State College) was credited with four assists for the Greyhounds. Green earned three assists and four steals. Hunnicutt had two assists, two blocks and two steals.

The Hounds shot 45.0% for the game (36 of 80), including 5 of 13 three-pointers (38.5%). ENMU also converted 9 of 14 free throw attempts. Cameron shot 42.9% (27 of 63), but made 8 of 20 three-pointers (40.0%). The Aggies made just 6 of 11 free throws, and committed 20 turnovers, compared to 13 turnovers for ENMU.

Eastern plays again on Saturday, Jan. 10, at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Tip-off in Weatherford, Okla., is set for 3 p.m. (MST).