ENMU Falls Behind by 14 Points in First Half, Loses to Southwestern Oklahoma, 61-43
Montoya and Donnell Still Out with Injuries

Box Score

WEATHERFORD, OKLA. — Eastern New Mexico University shot just 31.8% in the first half, as the Greyhounds fell behind 32-18, on their way to a 61-43 loss at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, in a Lone Star Conference crossover game on Thursday, Dec. 1. ENMU fell to 3-2 overall, while Southwestern Oklahoma, 1-6, won for the first time this season.

The Greyhounds were successful on only 7 of 22 shots in the first half, while the Bulldogs hit 12 of 23 first-half attempts (52.2%). Southwestern Oklahoma remained hot in the second half, converting 12 of 20 field goals, to finish the game 24 of 43 (55.8%). ENMU was 9 of 23 in the second half (39.1%), as the Greyhounds made just 16 of 45 shots for the night (35.6%).

SW Oklahoma was led by Jon Gunn, who scored 15 points to go with five rebounds and three steals. Lonnie Cooks added 12 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while Reggie Gunn connected on 5 of 6 field goals (2 of 3 three-pointers) to also finish with 12 points for SWOSU.

Eastern played without Jolen Montoya (Sr., G, Cordova, NM/Neosho County CC) and Chad Donnell (Jr., F, Frankston, TX/Frankson HS). Montoya missed his second consecutive game with a muscle injury in his chest. Donnell has yet to play this season after sustaining a stress fracture in his ankle.

Joshua Jackson (Fr., G, Madison, WI/Madison West HS) led the Greyhounds with 11 points, as he reached double figures for the second time in his young college career. He previously scored 15 points in Eastern’s 72-65 win over Illinois Tech on Nov. 19. Jackson and Tristan Largent (Jr., G, Martinsburg, WV/Garrett College) each scored three of Eastern’s nine 3-point baskets, as the Greyhounds hit 9 of 21 long-range shots (42.9%). Largent scored nine points for ENMU.

SWOSU achieved a 29-24 rebounding edge. The Greyhounds were led on the glass by Travis Carr (Jr., G, Colorado Springs, CO/Otero JC) and Ira Cross (Jr., F, Munford, AL/Gadsden State CC) with six rebounds apiece.

In the first half, the Bulldogs opened an 8-0 lead with 14:13 left in the period. ENMU cut the lead to 8-6 on a three-point play by Cross at the 13:00 mark. Later, the Bulldogs led 15-12 with 7:56 left in the half, before surging into a big lead with a 15-0 run. When the run ended, SWOSU owned a 30-12 advantage with 2:26 remaining until halftime.

Two three-pointers by Carr pulled Eastern within 30-18, but Michael Reddick scored the final points of the half on a jump shot for SWOSU with six seconds left. At the intermission, Jon Gunn had nine points and Reggie Gunn had eight points for the Bulldogs.

ENMU never got closer than 13 points in the second half, despite hitting six three pointers during the period. The first three-pointer of the half, scored ENMU’s Jackson, pulled the Hounds within 34-21, but SWOSU answered with an 11-3 run for a 21-point lead.

Eastern tallied the next seven points to move within 45-31 with 7:28 to go. The Bulldogs thwarted any chance of a comeback by producing seven unanswered points of their own for a 52-31 advantage with 4:48 left.

The Greyhounds will remain on the road for an LSC crossover game at Cameron University on Saturday, Dec. 3. Game time in Lawton, Okla., is set for 3 p.m. MST. Eastern will return to Greyhound Arena on Thursday, Dec. 8, to take on Texas A&M University-Commerce in an LSC crossover game at 7:30 p.m. MST.