Redmen Shoot 50.9% in 65-54 Win over ENMU
NSU Improves to 9-3, while Greyhounds Fall to 4-8

Box Score

TAHLEQUAH, OKLA. — The Redmen of Northeastern State University shot 50.9% from the field (27 of 53) and achieved a 33-21 rebounding margin, as NSU defeated Eastern New Mexico University, 65-54, in a Lone Star Conference crossover game at Dobbins Field House, on Thursday, Jan. 5. Northeastern State moved to 9-3 overall, while ENMU dropped to 4-8.

The loss was Eastern’s fourth in a row, as the Greyhounds fell to 2-7 in games played on the road or at neutral sites. ENMU has been at home for just three games this season, with the Hounds earning a 2-1 record at Greyhound Arena.

Bret Rubin scored 16 points for the Redmen, while Sid Melvin contributed 13 points and Pat Moore provided 11 points and 12 rebounds. NSU’s overall rebounding effort included 10 offensive boards, as the Redmen overcame 22.2% shooting from three point range (4 of 18).

Tristan Largent (Jr., G, Martinsburg, WV/Garrett College) led Eastern with 12 points. Mikal Monette (Jr., F, Albuquerque, NM/University of New Mexico) added 10 points and grabbed a team-high five rebounds. Travis Carr (Jr., G, Colorado Springs, CO/Otero JC) scored nine points, to go with four rebounds and three assists.

The Greyhounds opened the game with a 7-0 run. Eastern also led 9-2 at the 15:45 mark and held a 20-12 lead following a layup and free throw by Largent with 8:57 left in the half. The Hounds were in front 23-17, before Northeastern State closed the half with a 12-0 run over the final 6:14. NSU owned a 29-23 advantage at the break.

An 11-6 run by the Redmen to start the second half completed an overall run of 23-6, as Northeastern extended the lead to 40-29 with 17:11 remaining. Melvin scored three times in the early minutes of the second half, including a 3-pointer to finish the run.

Eastern recorded the next three points to cut the lead to eight, but never got within single digits the rest of the night. NSU countered with an 8-0 run for a 48-32 lead at the 12:12 mark and led by 19 points, 62-43, with 6:02 to play.

The Redmen were consistent in their overall field goal shooting, as they hit 52.0% (13 of 25) in the first half and 50.0% (14 of 28) in the second half. NSU also benefited from 10 offensive rebounds, including six in the second half. Eastern improved from 38.1% shooting in the opening stanza (8 of 21) to 52.4% accuracy in the second half (11 of 21).

Northeastern converted 7 of 10 free throw shots, while ENMU sank 9 of 16 attempts from the charity stripe. Eastern committed 17 turnovers, while NSU lost the ball 15 times. Moore recorded four steals to lead all players.

ENMU will stay on the road for an LSC crossover game against the University of Central Oklahoma on Saturday, Jan. 7, at 1 p.m. MST. Eastern returns to Greyhound Arena on Thursday, Jan. 12, to take on East Central University, also in an LSC crossover game. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. MST. Crossover games do not count in the LSC divisional standings.