Greyhounds Fall to Washburn in Overtime
ENMU will take on Illinois Tech in Second Round of Westlink Communications Classic at Fort Hays State on Saturday

Box Score

HAYS, KAN. — Washburn University defeated Eastern New Mexico University, 90-85 in overtime, in the opening round of the Westlink Communications Classic on Friday, Nov, 18 at Fort Hays State University. Washburn tied the game on a free throw with two seconds left in regulation, then outscored the Greyhounds 13-8 in overtime. The Ichabods, playing their season opener, started the year 1-0, while ENMU fell to 1-1.

In the other first round game, host Fort Hays State defeated Illinois Institute of Technology, 86-47. ENMU will play Illinois Tech in the third place game on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. MST.

Eastern trailed 45-36 at halftime and by as many as 13 points, 53-40, with 16:39 left. The Hounds were behind by nine points, 68-59, with 7:33 remaining, and trailed by seven, 72-65, at the 3:02 mark.

ENMU answered with a 12-4 run for a 77-76 lead after Stephen Wilson (Jr., G, Heflin, AL/
Gadsden State CC) hit a jumper with 14 seconds left. Rashad Adams tied the score for Washburn, when he made the second of two free throws with two seconds remaining. The Ichabods scored the first nine points in overtime.

Wilson and Tristan Largent (Jr., G, Martinsburg, WV/Garrett College) led ENMU with 19
points each, while Ira Cross (Jr., F, Munford, AL/Gadsden State CC) hauled down nine rebounds. Adams topped Washburn with 23 points to go with eight rebounds.

The Ichabods built a 17-7 lead during the first 5:48 of the game. Eastern scored the next seven points on a 3-point basket from senior guard Jolen Montoya (Cordova, NM/Neosho County CC), plus a jumper and a layup by Travis Carr (Jr., G, Colorado Springs, CO/Otero JC). The Hounds eventually pulled within two points at 25-23 with 8:16 left in the half and 29-27 at the 6:09 mark.

Washburn went on a 12-4 run to regain a 10-point lead, 41-31, following a layup by Dylan Channel with 2:00 left in the opening stanza. The Ichabods led by nine points at halftime.

Both teams shot well over the first 20 minutes. Washburn was 18 of 32 (56.3%) on field goals in the first half, while Eastern was 15 of 27 (55.6%).

Wilson scored the first basket of the second half for ENMU, but the Ichabods recorded the next six points for a 51-38 lead with 17:05 remaining. The Greyhounds battled back within two points, 55-53, on a jumper by Mikal Monette (Jr., F, Albuquerque, NM/University of New Mexico) at the 12:07 mark.

Washburn went on a 9-0 run to take a 64-43 lead with 9:21 left. J.B. Murray sank a 3 pointer and a layup during the Ichabods’ offensive surge.

A steal and layup by Larry Prince (Jr., F, Haynesville, GA/Wallace State-Hanceville CC) of ENMU pulled the Hounds within 68-65 with 7:33 to go, but Channel made 1 of 2 free throws and added a layup for Washburn, as the Ichabods took a six-point lead. Murray also converted 1 of 2 free throws, giving WU a 72-65 advantage, before Eastern scored 12 of the next 16 points to take the lead.

Wilson earned six points during the run by ENMU, including the final five points on a 3 point shot and a jumper. His efforts gave ENMU a 77-76 lead, but Wilson was called for a foul on Adams as the clock reached two seconds. Adams missed the first charity shot, but hit the second, to tie the game and force overtime.

It took the Ichabods just 13 seconds to score in the extra session, as Kris Milburn hit a 3-pointer. Andrew Meile, Murray and Channel added layups, as WU took an 86-77 lead. Eastern pulled within six points on a layup and a foul shot by Largent with 11 seconds left, but Paul Byers scored on a layup for Washburn. Carr completed the scoring with a 3-point basket for ENMU.

Largent and Wilson of ENMU were joined in double figures by Prince, who scored 10 points. Prince also grabbed five rebounds, provided four assists and achieved three steals. The Greyhounds shot 50.8% from the field (32 of 63), including 7 of 18 (38.9%) on three-point attempts.

Adams’ 23 points topped four players in double figures for Washburn. Milburn tacked on 18 points, while Channel scored 17 and Murray contributed 14. Channel hauled down nine rebounds to edge Adams for the team lead. Meile earned six rebounds and Byers added five, as the Ichabods claimed a 39-33 advantage on the boards.

Washburn matched Eastern in field goal shooting, by connecting on 32 of 63 attempts. The Ichabods sank 7 of 14 three-pointers and made 19 of 28 free throws.