Angelo State Rams Sink 12 of 26 Three-Pointers
to Defeat Eastern New Mexico University, 80-76
Hunnicutt has Big Night with 19 Points, 15 Rebounds, Six Assists and Four Steals

Box Score

PORTALES, N.M. — Angelo State University hit 12 of 26 three-point shots, including 6 of 9 by Kenny Smith and 5 of 7 by Dustin Patton, as the Rams defeated Eastern New Mexico University, 80-76, in a Lone Star Conference game on Saturday, Feb. 5. The win at Greyhound Arena improved the Rams to 9-13 overall and to 2-5 in the LSC South. ENMU dropped to 8-13, 1-5 in the LSC South.

Eastern was led by senior forward Jamaal Hunnicutt who scored 19 points, hauled down 15 rebounds, provided six assists and claimed four steals. He had just three points to go with six rebounds at halftime. Hunnicutt moved into 14th place on Eastern's all-time scoring list with 1,176 career points. He passed Wallace Williams, who scored 1,170 points from 1983-84 through 1984-85. Hunnicutt has scored 18 or more points in eight consecutive games.

The Rams were in front 35-33 at halftime on the strength of their three-point shooting. ASU converted 7 of 16 long-range shots during the half, led by Patton, who hit 5 of 6 to top all scorers with 15 points. Eastern made just two three-pointers on only five attempts during the period, as the Rams claimed a 15-point margin from behind the arc. Jolen Montoya (Jr., G, Cordova, NM/ Neosho County CC) was Eastern’s leading scorer at halftime with 11 points.

Angelo State opened the second stanza with a 10-2 run, giving the Rams a 45-35 lead at the 16:58 mark. The last six points of the run were scored on two three-pointers by Smith, who sank a total of four three-pointers in the second half. ENMU pulled back within five points three times, but the Rams earned another 10-point lead, 61-51, when Sercan Fenerci scored on a layup with 11:17 left.

Eastern rallied within three points several times, including 65-62 with 7:17 to go. The Rams countered with a 5-0 run for an eight-point lead at the 5:17 mark. The lead was just five points, 74-69, after Reggie Wallace (Jr., G, Pasadena, CA/Mt. San Antonio College) hit a jumper with 1:48 remaining.

Rashawn Childs tacked on two free throws for Angelo State with 1:20 left, but the Hounds pulled within 76-71 on a layup by Edmound Elzy (Sr., F, Victorville, CA/Barstow CC) with 1:05 remaining. ENMU eventually cut the lead to three-points, 77-74, on a free throw by Montoya at the 39-second mark.

Jermel Brooks virtually clinched the win for Angelo State with a pair of charity shots with 13 seconds left. Hunnicutt scored on a layup for ENMU with three seconds left, but Matt Hardin put through the second of two free throw for ASU on second later to seal the win.

The Rams shot 46.4% from the field (26 of 56) and concluded the evening with eight more three-pointers than the Greyhounds (12 to 4). ASU also achieved a 38-35 rebounding edge, but had difficulty shaking off the Hounds because of 22 turnovers. Eastern committed 16 turnovers.

Smith of ASU led all scorers with 21 points. He also grabbed five rebounds. Patton and Brooks each contributed 16 points for the Rams. Childs tallied 11 points to go with a team-high eight rebounds. Walker added seven rebounds and patton had six.

Hunnicutt’s successful night started slowly for ENMU, as he scored only three points during the first half, while connecting on just 1 of 5 field goals. Even so, he had six rebounds and four assists at the intermission. In the second half, Hunnicutt was 6 of 10 from the field, and finished the game 7 of 15 on field goals. He was 5 of 7 at the line.

Montoya chipped in 17 points, four assists and two steals for the Hounds. Wallace recorded 14 points and matched Montoya with four assists and a pair of steals. Elzy, Aaron Rodriguez (So., G, Roswell, NM/Briar Cliff University) and Daniel Sherman (Jr., F, Chino Hills, CA/Mt. San Antonio College) each scored seven points. Eastern was 27 of 63 from the field (42.9%) and 4 of 13 on three-pointers (30.8%). The Greyhounds sank 18 of 26 free throws (69.2%).

ENMU is scheduled to play two LSC South road games next week. Eastern will take on Abilene Christian University on Thursday, Feb. 10, and will play at Angelo State on Saturday, Feb. 12. Game time is set for 5 p.m. MST each night.