Greyhounds Battle Back from 13-Point Deficit
to Slip Past Adams State, 72-67
Hunnicutt Scores 23, Montoya Adds 22, in ENMU Victory

Box Score

ALAMOSA, COLO . — Eastern New Mexico University trailed 58-45 with 10:09 left, but the Greyhounds fought back for a 72-67 victory over Adams State College, Nov. 20 at Plachy Hall. Eastern outscored the Grizzlies 27-9 over the final 10 minutes to even their record at 1-1 on the season. Adams State began its season with the loss.

ENMU senior forward Jamaal Hunnicutt (Amarillo, TX/Hill JC) scored 18 of his team-high 23 points in the second half, including 11 in the final 9:41. He made two free throws with 1:22 left to give Eastern the lead for good at 69-67.

After ASC missed back-to-back three-point attempts with 1:16 and 1:12 on the clock, Billy Austin (Jr., G, Hobbs, NM/Eastern Wyoming CC) rebounded the ball for ENMU. Jolen Montoya (Jr., G, Cordova, NM/Neosho County CC) committed a turnover with 55 seconds left, giving Adams State another chance to tie or move in front. The Grizzlies never got a shot, however, as Hunnicutt stole the ball with 36 seconds to go.

Montoya was fouled by Larry Charles with 25 seconds left, and converted both free throws, nearly clinching the win for the Greyhounds. The Grizzlies took possession of the ball following Montoya’s second attempt, but never got a shot. Kevin McCarroll was called for an offensive foul with 10 seconds left, and Charles fouled Hunnicutt three seconds later. Hunnicutt made the first free throw to complete the scoring. Eastern connected on 6 of 8 field goals during the comeback, while making 11 of 16 free throws. The rally also included scores on 4 of 5 three-point attempts by ENMU.

A string of seven unanswered points opened a 12-1 run to start the Greyhounds on their comeback, as Eastern pulled within 59-57 at the 7:06 mark. ASC countered with the next four points for a 63-57 lead with 5:48 remaining.

Austin canned a three-pointer, his second of the comeback, to begin a 10-2 run by ENMU over the next 2:56, as Eastern bolted in front, 67-65. ENMU took its first lead of the night on a three-pointer by Irshaun Pinckney (Sr., G, Clovis, NM/Clovis HS) with 2:53 on the clock. McCarroll put through a jump shot for the Grizzlies at the 1:42 mark to deadlock the score at 67-67. ASC never scored again.

The first half also featured a rally by the Hounds, who fell behind 10-2 and 14-4 over the first 4:28. Eastern used a 12-2 offensive surge to cut the lead to 16-15 at the 10:03 mark. The Hounds also pulled within a single point, 19-18, with 8:18 left in the half.

Adams State led by eight points, 26-18, with 5:37 remaining in the period. ENMU closed the half with an 11-4 run, sparked by a three-pointer and two free throws from Montoya,
and four points by Pinckney. Edmound Elzy (Sr., F, Victorville, CA/Barstow CC) scored the final basket of the half with eight seconds remaining. ASC held a 30-29 advantage at the break.

The score was tied twice in the first 4:40 of the second half, but the Greyhounds couldn’t take the lead. After ENMU forced the second tie at 38-38 on a layup by Hunnicutt, the Grizzlies went on an 18-5 run for a 56-43 lead with 11:03 left. The teams exchanged jumpers over the next minute, before Eastern began its game-winning rally.

Hunnicutt finished the night 6 of 9 on field goals and 11 of 13 at the line. In addition to scoring 23 points, he earned three rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocked shots.

Montoya, in his second game at ENMU after transferring from Neosho County CC in Kansas, provided 22 points on 6 of 9 shooting (4 of 6 three-pointers) and 6 of 6 at the line. Pinckney also reached double figures, as he provided 11 points to go with four rebounds.

Austin scored eight points, grabbed six boards, dished out two assists and tied Hunnicutt for the team lead with three steals. Daniel Sherman (Jr., F, Chino Hills, CA/Mt. San Antonio College) led Eastern in rebounding with eight boards. Montoya contributed five assists and two steals.

Adams State claimed a 32-31 rebounding margin and an 11-10 edge in steals. The Grizzlies made 19 turnovers, compared to 21 for the Hounds. ASC hit just 15 of 25 free throws (60.0%), while ENMU converted 21 of 29 charity shots (72.4%).

The Greyhounds sank 5 of 7 three-pointers in the second half (71.4%), after hitting just 2 of 8 in the first half. Adams State also made 2 of 8 treys in the first half, then went 0 of 4 over the final 20 minutes. For the game, Eastern was 7 of 15 (46.7%) and ASC was 2 of 12 (16.7%).

ASC matched Eastern with three players in double figures, led by senior forward David Mitchell (6’8”), who tallied a game-high 25 points. Mitchell was 7 of 10 from the field and 11 of 14 at the line. Greg Baker tacked on 13 points, and Charles scored 12. Richard Mincey grabbed nine rebounds, while Mitchell hauled down seven. Baker earned five assists.

Eastern’s next action will be at the WIBW Radio Holiday Classic, Nov. 26-27 in Topeka, Kan. ENMU will open the tourney against Fort Hays State University (Kan.) on Friday at 5 p.m. MST.

Host Washburn University will take on Lincoln University (Mo.) in the first round at 7 p.m. The winners will meet on Saturday at 7 p.m., following the third place game at 5 p.m.