TAMU-Commerce Hits 10 of 13 Three-Pointers
in Second Half to Defeat Greyhounds, 80-73
Montoya and Hunnicutt Lead ENMU with 17 Points

Box Score

PORTALES, N.M. — Texas A&M University-Commerce sank 10 of 13 three-point shots in the second half, to finish the game 14 of 22 from three-point range, as the Lions defeated Eastern New Mexico University, 80-73, in a Lone Star Conference game on Thursday, Feb. 17. The three-point onslaught was led by junior guard Jermart Miller, who connected on 7 of 9 trifectas, including 6 of 6 in the second half.

ENMU fell to 9-15 overall, 2-7 in the LSC South. Commerce, ranked 11th in the NABC Poll for NCAA Division II, improved to 20-4, 7-2 in the LSC South, with its second seven-point win over the Greyhounds this season. The Lions sank 12 of 24 three-pointers on Jan. 20 to slip past the Hounds, 97-90, at Greyhound Arena. Miller hit 6 of 8 three pointers and scored 29 points in the first meeting.

In the rematch, Miller tallied 24 points to lead all scorers. ENMU was led by senior forward Jamaal Hunnicutt (Amarillo, TX/Hill JC) and by junior guard Jolen Montoya (Cordova, NM/Neosho County CC), each with 17 points.

The Greyhounds earned solid offensive stats, hitting 24 of 51 shots for the game (47.1%), including 14 of 25 (56.0%) in the second half. ENMU sank 16 of 19 free throws (84.2%), and made 9 of 17 three-pointers (52.9%). The Hounds were 7 of 9 on 3 pointers in the second half.

TAMU-Commerce responded to Eastern’s offensive prowess by running its own offense even more efficiently. Bolstered by success on three-pointers, the Lions converted 62.5% of their field goals (15 of 24) over the final 20 minutes. Commerce ended the game with a 33-28 rebounding edge, but made just 12 of 22 free throws (54.5%), including 6 of 14 (42.9%) in the second half.

Eastern fell behind early, as the Lions hit two 3-pointers to spark a 12-2 run immediately following the opening tip. The lead reached 16-4 on a jumper by Chris Fantroy with 13:20 left in the first half, then expanded to 25-9 when Miller put in a layup at the 9:31 mark.

ENMU trailed 34-21 with just over three minutes left in the half, but the Greyhounds went on a 9-0 run to cut the margin to 34-30 at the break. Miller scored just five of his 24 points in the opening half for TAMU-Commerce.

The Lions remained in front throughout the second half. Eastern pulled within four points two more times in the early stages of the period, but A&M-C answered with a 6-0 run, as Miller and Fantroy each hit a 3-pointer. Commerce eventually regained a 15-point lead, 66-51, with 10:30 remaining.

Eastern cut the deficit to six points twice, first at 72-66 on two free throws by Montoya with 6:43 left, then at 74-68 on a pair of free throws by junior guard Reggie Wallace (Pasadena, CA/Mt. San Antonio College) with 3:26 to go.

The ENMU threat was dealt a significant blow when Walker sank a 3-pointer for a 77-68 A&M-C lead at the 2:57 mark. A dunk by Nick Goellner with 1:26 on the clock increased the lead to 79-68. Eastern closed out the game with a 5-1 run, but three of the points came with just seven seconds remaining, on a 3-pointer by Irshaun Pinckney (Sr., G, Clovis, NM/Clovis HS).

Miller was one of three players in double figures for TAMU-Commerce. Matt Rager earned 15 points, to go with seven rebounds and three assists, while Jonathan Hopkins contributed 13 points on 6 of 7 shooting from the floor. Hopkins also provided A&M-C with three blocks and two steals.

In addition to sinking seven three-pointers, Miller also dished out nine assists. Fantroy tallied a modest eight points, but grabbed 13 rebounds and added three assists.

Hunnicutt and Montoya were joined in double figures for ENMU by Pinckney, who scored 15 points, and by Wallace, who chipped in 14 points. Hunnicutt top Eastern’s rebounding list with seven boards, while Pinckney added five rebounds and eight assists. Montoya hit 5 of 7 three-point attempts, while gaining credit for four assists, three steals and a blocked shot.

Hunnicutt concluded the game with 1,234 career points, as he moved into sole possession of 12th place on Eastern's all-time scoring list. He needs 20 addtional points to reach Ronald Oram (1963-64 and 1965-68) in 11th place.

The Greyhounds will conclude a four-game road trip with an LSC South game at Midwestern State University on Saturday, Feb. 19. Game time in Wichita Falls, Texas, is set for 7 p.m. MST. ENMU lost to the Indians, 92-86, in overtime on Jan. 22.