Midwestern State Goes on 13-4 Run
to Start Second Half in 88-77 Win over ENMU
Hunnicutt Scores 28 Points to move into 11th Place All-Time at Eastern

Box Score

WICHTA FALLS, TEXAS — Midwestern State University opened the second half with a 13-4 run for a 53-40 lead, then led by at least eight points the rest of the way, as the Indians defeated Eastern New Mexico University, 88-77, on Saturday, Feb. 19. MSU upped its record to 15-10, 7-3 in the LSC South. Eastern, which received 28 points from Jamaal Hunnicutt (Sr., F, Amarillo, TX/Hill JC) and a career-high 21 points from Irshaun Pinckney (Sr., G, Clovis, NM/Clovis HS), fell to 9-16 on the season, 2-8 in the LSC South.

Hunnicutt increased his career scoring total to 1,262 points, as he moved into 11th place on Eastern’s all-time scoring list. He needs 54 points to reach Jerry Hyder (1967 71) in 10th place with 1,316 points. Pinckney, in only his second week back after missing just over a month with a leg injury, recorded his career-high against the Indians by hitting 7 of 9 shots from the floor, while going 5 for 5 at the free throw line.

Midwestern bolted out to a 9-0 lead thanks to three 3-pointers by Jay January. The Hounds scored the next four points and eventually tied the game, 13-13. Later in the opening half, ENMU trailed 24-21, but the Greyhounds put in six unanswered points, with Daniel Sherman (Jr., F, Chino Hills, CA/Mt. San Antonio College) providing two foul shots and a layup, and Pinckney contributing a jump shot. Eastern led 27-24 at the 5:02 mark.

A 10-2 run gave MSU a 34-29 lead heading into the final two minutes of the half. January sank his fifth 3-pointer during the run and finished the half 5 of 7 from behind the 3-point line. Junior guard Jolen Montoya (Cordova, NM/Neosho County CC) pulled Eastern within two points on a layup with 12 seconds remaining in the half, but Eddie Rowe converted two free throws for MSU with five seconds left to give the Indians a 40-36 lead at the break.

January hit his sixth and final 3-pointer of the night during Midwestern’s run to start the second half. He finished the game 6 of 8 on 3-pointers and 7 of 10 from the field, as he tied for team scoring honors with 22 points. Justin James, who contributed a total of three points during MSU’s early second-half run, also scored 22 points, including 12 of 15 free throw attempts.

Jose Nava and Leonard Pralour also reached double figures for the Indians. Nava scored 11 points, while Pralour provided 10 points in just 14 minutes on the floor.

MSU achieved a 36-27 rebounding edge, led by James, who hauled down 13 boards, 10 on defense. James also earned four assists and two steals. Nava finished second for the Indians with six rebounds. Tate Lombard was third with five boards.

January provided all six of MSU’s 3-pointers on the night. His teammates were a combined 0 of 6 from beyond the arc. Even so, the Indians shot 60.9% in the second half (14 of 23), to finish at 52.8% for the game (28 of 53). MSU also sank 26 of 33 free throws (78.8%).

Hunnicutt connected on 8 of 13 field goals and made 12 of 14 free throws. He also provided the Hounds with five rebounds, five assists and one steal. His 28 points fell one short of his career-high, set against the Indians at Greyhound Arena on Jan. 22.

Pinckney joined Hunnicutt as the only ENMU players in double figures, but Montoya tallied nine points and Sherman added seven. Sherman also led the Greyhounds with six rebounds. Edmound Elzy (Sr., F, Victorville, CA/Barstow CC) supplied five points and five boards.

The Hounds shot a solid 54.2% in the first half (13 of 24), but slipped to 38.7% in the second half (12 of 31). ENMU hit just 4 of 16 three-pointers and nailed 23 of 33 free throws. Eastern committed just 14 turnovers, while forcing Midwestern State into 19 miscues.

ENMU will return to action on Monday, Feb. 21, when they host arch rival West Texas A&M University. Game time at Greyhound Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST. West Texas defeated the Greyhounds, 66-59, in Canyon, Texas, on Jan. 24.