ENMU Commits 26 Turnovers in 88-69 Loss to Central Oklahoma
Monette Hits 9 of 9 Field Goals for Career-High 24 Points

Box Score

EDMOND, OKLA. — Eastern New Mexico University could not take advantage of perfect 9-for-9 shooting from the field by Mikal Monette (Jr., F, Albuquerque, NM/University of New Mexico) plus the Greyhounds’ season-high 53.2% on field goal accuracy, as ENMU lost 88-69 to defensive-minded University of Central Oklahoma, in a Lone Star Conference crossover game on Saturday, Jan. 7 at Hamilton Field House. The Greyhounds outrebounded the Bronchos, 34-30, but were unable to overcome a season-high 26 turnovers, as Eastern dropped to 4-9. The Bronchos improved to 7-6 overall and remained undefeated at home with a 5-0 record.

ENMU never led in the game after falling behind two seconds into the contest on a 3-pointer by Aundrae Grayson. Although the Greyhounds converted 50% of their shots in the first half, Eastern committed 17 turnovers during the stanza, which limited the Hounds to only 20 field goal attempts.

A jumper by Stephen Wilson (Jr., G, Heflin, AL/Gadsden State CC) at the 12:03 mark of the opening period got the Hounds within one point at 12-11. The Bronchos tightened their defense to go on a 9-0 run over the next three minutes and 10 seconds. UCO held Eastern to only three shots and forced two turnovers during the run, to take a 21-11 lead with 8:53 left in the half. By the intermission, UCO had achieved a 40-26 advantage.

In the first 8:07 of the second half, the Bronchos outscored the Hounds 18-9 to claim a commanding 63-39 lead. The Greyhounds reacted to their biggest deficit of the night by scoring 11 unanswered points. Jake Holladay (Fr., F, Gilmer, TX/Gilmer HS) got the run started with a layup, and Monette scored six consecutive points, including a dunk. Jolen Montoya (Sr., G, Cordova, NM/Neosho County CC) closed out the run with a three-pointer to get Eastern within 13 points with 8:58 to play.

Anthony Brown hit a jumper for UCO to stop the run, but Eastern countered with six points in a row. After a layup and a free throw by Monette, Montoya sank his second three-pointer of the game to cut the deficit to nine points, 65-56, with 7:25 left on the clock.

ENMU never got closer, as UCO outscored the Greyhounds 23-13 down the stretch. The Bronchos committed only five turnovers in the second half, including just one in the final 7:00.

Monette’s shooting perfection from the field amounted to 24 points as he established his career high in scoring. He added a game-high nine rebounds. Monette has scored in double figures in six consecutive games and has earned six or more rebounds eight times this season.

Holladay connected on 5 of 10 field goals, including two three-pointers, to finish with a career-high 12 points. Wilson scored nine points and grabbed seven rebounds, while freshman guard Joshua Jackson (Madison, WI/Madison West HS) recorded a game-high and career-high six assists. ENMU connected on 15 of 27 field goals (55.6%) in the second half to end the game 25 of 47 from the field.

Central Oklahoma had five players record double-digit scoring, led by Brown, who earned 21 points. Jason Green added 17 points, Grayson chipped in 14 points, Kentrell Gaddis scored 13 and Sam Belt earned 11. The Bronchos connected on 13 of 33 three pointers (39.4%), including four each by Grayson and Greene. Brown was UCO’s top rebounder with eight boards.

Eastern returns to the friendly confines of Greyhound Arena next week, after playing five straight road games since Dec. 16. On Thursday, Jan. 12, the Greyhounds will host East Central University at 7:30 p.m. MST in an LSC crossover game. Eastern will close out its short two-game homestand with an LSC crossover game against Southeastern Oklahoma State University on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. MST.