University of New Mexico Defeats Greyhounds
in Exhibition Game at The Pit, 99-67
ENMU will open Regular Season at home on Nov. 18

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Eastern New Mexico University men’s basketball team played another team for the first time this preseason, as ENMU battled in-state rival the University of New Mexico in an exhibition game on Monday, Nov. 1, at The Pit in Albuquerque.

The Lobos (NCAA Division I) defeated the Hounds (NCAA Division II), 99-67, in a game played using the NCAA’s experimental rules, featuring a wider lane and an extended three-point line. ENMU will open the regular season at Greyhound Arena in Portales, N.M., on Thursday, Nov. 18, against Lubbock Christian University. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST.

The experimental rules will be used in all exhibition games involving NCAA teams between now and the end of December. The changes involve widening the free throw lane by 18 inches on each side and extending the three-point line to 20 feet, 6 inches from the basket.

Danny Granger, a senior forward for UNM, led all players with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while converting 10 of 12 free throws. He also provided the Lobos with four assists, two blocks and two steals. David Chiotti added 14 points for New Mexico on 5 of 7 field goals and 4 of 5 free throw attempts. Troy DeVries also scored 14 points, as he converted 5 of 9 field goals, including 4 of 6 three-point shots.

UNM seemed unaffected by the new three-point line. The Lobos hit 11 of 22 three-pointers, including 7 of 11 (63.6%) in the first half. New Mexico surged out to a 52-27 halftime lead on the strength of an 18-0 run that extended a 13-9 lead at the 16:32 mark in the first half into a 32-9 edge with 9:29 on the clock. UNM outscored Eastern 47-40 in the second half.

While the Lobos found success behind the experimental three-point arc, ENMU did not, hitting just 3 of 10 three-point attempts. Even so, Jamal Washington (Sr., F, Pomona, CA/Victor Valley College) and Jolen Montoya (Jr., G, Cordova, NM/Neosho County CC) each went 1 for 1 on three-pointers, and Edmound Elzy (Sr., F, Victorville, CA/Barstow CC) was 1 for 2.

Junior college transfer Jason Breland (Jr., G/F, 6’5”, Los Angeles, CA/Mount San Antonio College) was Eastern’s top scorer, with 11 points on 5 of 9 shooting from the field and 1 for 3 at the line. Breland also led the Greyhounds with four rebounds.

Washington tacked on 10 points for the Greyhounds. Montoya and Jamaal Hunnicutt (Sr., F, Amarillo, TX/Hill JC) recorded 7 points each, while three other players, including former UNM player Mikal Monette (Jr., F, 6’6”, Albuquerque, NM), contributed 6 point apiece. Granger’s 11 rebounds led UNM to a 43-27 rebounding edge. Other key rebounders for the Lobos were Bambale Osby and Alfred Neale, each with six boards.

UNM held a shooting advantage, especially in the first half, when the Lobos went 17 of 33 from the floor (51.5%) and ENMU shot just 33.3% (9 of 27). The Lobos made 12 of 24 field goals in the final 20 minutes (50.0%), while the Greyhounds improved to 46.4% (13 of 28). Both squads shot well at the free throw line, as New Mexico converted 30 of 35 charity shots (85.7%) and Eastern connected on 20 of 26 attempts (76.9%).

Both teams struggled to protect the ball in their first competition of the year. ENMU was credited with 20 turnovers and UNM lost the ball 18 times. Eastern committed 13 turnovers in the first half. The Greyhounds claimed an edge in steals with 11 to UNM’s nine. Washington was the only player for either team with three steals on the night.

Mark Walters of New Mexico led all players with 6 assists. Billy Austin (Jr., G, Hobbs, NM/ Eastern Wyoming CC) earned 4 assists for ENMU. The Lobos totaled 23 assists overall, while Eastern had 14 assists.