Two Newcomers Lead ENMU to 72-65 Victory over Illinois Institute of Technology

Box Score

HAYS, KAN. — Junior forward Ira Cross (Munford, AL/Gadsden State CC) and freshman guard Joshua Jackson (Madison, WI/Madison West HS) each contributed 15 points to lead Eastern New Mexico University to a 72-65 victory over Illinois Institute of Technology in the third place game of the Westlink Communications Classic at Fort Hays State University on Saturday, Nov. 19. The Greyhounds went on a 16-0 run midway through the second half to secure the win.

Cross and Jackson both joined ENMU this season, with Cross transferring from Gadsden State Community College in Alabama and Jackson arriving from Madison West High School in Wisconsin. With the win over Illinois Tech, the Greyhounds improved their record to 2-1. The Scarlet Hawks dropped to 1-3 on the season.

In an evenly matched first half, Eastern scored four points in the final 1:24 to take a 34-30 lead into the locker room. Cross was instrumental for the Greyhounds’, finishing the half as the leading scorer for either team with 13 points. He was 5 for 6 from the field and 3 for 5 at the line, despite playing only 11 minutes in the half.

Illinois Tech, an NAIA college near Chicago, was led by the strong inside play of forward Robert Lucky, who provided 10 points and five rebounds, while playing 19 minutes in the first half. Illinois Tech held a 17-15 edge in rebounding at the half, but the Scarlet Hawks committed 14 turnovers, compared to 12 turnovers for ENMU.

Less than five minutes into the second half, the Scarlet Hawks caught the Greyhounds at 39-39 on a layup by Lucky. Just over a minute later, at 14:15, Greyhound freshman Jake Holladay (F, Gilmer, TX/Gilmer HS) hit a jumper to start Eastern’s 16-0 run.

The ENMU defense forced five turnovers during the run, which lasted 4:06. Jackson led the charge by following up Holladay’s jumper with a steal and a jumper of his own, giving Eastern a 43-39 lead. Eastern’s offense took advantage of Illinois Tech’s turnovers, hitting five of six shots during the run, including a three-pointer by Travis Carr (Jr., G, Colorado Springs, CO/Otero JC).

IIT didn’t let Eastern get ahead by more than 16 points. With 7:15 to play, the Scarlet Hawks, down 58-44, went on a 17-3 offensive surge to tie the game at 61-61. Lucky became a one-man show, scoring 10 points and finishing the five-minute run by converting a three-point play.

Once again, Jackson answered for the Greyhounds, scoring the next six points on a layup and four free throws. He provided an assist for Mikal Monette’s (Jr., F, Albuquerque, NM/University of New Mexico) layup to give the Hounds a commanding 69-61 lead with 32 seconds to play.

Jackson shot 50% from the field (4 of 8) and was 7 for 8 from the free throw line. He dished out three assists, grabbed three rebounds and led ENMU with three steals.

The Hounds were led by Stephen Wilson’s (Jr., G, Heflin, AL/Gadsden State CC) seven boards and by Tristan Largent’s (Jr., G, Martinsburg, WV/Garrett College) six assists. Eastern’s only senior, Jolen Montoya (G, Cordova, NM/Neosho County CC), scored nine points. Holladay and Larry Prince (Jr., F, Haynesville, GA/Wallace St.-Hanceville CC) contributed eight points apiece.

The Scarlet Hawks were led by Lucky, who finished with 27 points and 11 rebounds. Mike Stohl, with 17 points, and Ayo Ayodele, with 10 points, were the two other players in double figures for IIT.

ENMU will play its home opener on Saturday, Nov. 26 against Adams State College. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST at Greyhound Arena.