Greyhounds Pound East Central, 98-51
Monette Scores 24 Points, Largent Adds 18

Box Score

PORTALES, N.M. — Junior forward Michael Monette (Albuquerque, NM/University of New Mexico) scored 24 points and junior guard Tristan Largent (Martinsburg, WV/Garrett College) provided 18 points, as Eastern New Mexico University routed East Central University, 98-51, in a Lone Star Conference crossover game, Thursday, Jan. 12 at Greyhound Arena. The Greyhounds improved to 5-9 on the season and ended a five game losing streak. ECU dropped to 10-4.

ENMU held a 56-31 lead at halftime, and finished the game with 56.7% shooting from the field (34 of 60), including 10 of 15 on three-pointers. The Greyhounds converted 20 of 24 free throws (83.3%) and committed just seven turnovers.

Monette also recorded 24 points in Eastern’s 88-69 loss on Saturday (Jan. 7) at the University of Central Oklahoma. Against ECU, he hit 8 of 12 field goals and 7 of 9 free throws. He grabbed nine rebounds, provided four assists and drew two charging calls against the Tigers. Largent connected on 7 of 10 field goals and 2 of 3 free throws, while contributing four assists.

For the season, Monette leads the Greyhounds with 11.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. He has scored in double figures in seven consecutive games.

The Greyhounds were tied with the Tigers, 11-11, at the 15:19 mark of the first half, but ENMU went on a 6-0 run, behind four points from Monette, to move into the lead for good. Eastern extended the margin to 10 points, 25-15, on a free throw by Monette with 11:30 on the clock.

Later, ENMU held a 35-25 advantage with 6:28 left in the half. The Hounds then scored nine consecutive points to start a 12-2 run that doubled the lead. Eastern was in front, 47-27, at the 4:27 mark.

Eastern continued to control the action in the second half. The lead reached 31 points on a layup by Largent with 16:20 to go, and later hit 40 points, 83-43, when Monette sank a free throw to complete a three-point play with 9:32 remaining. The Greyhounds shot 55.2% in the second half (16 of 29) and outrebounded the Tigers 23-13 over the final 20 minutes.

Monette and Largent were joined in double figures by junior guard Travis Carr (Colorado Springs, CO/Otero JC), who chipped in 11 points on 4 of 7 field goals, including 3 of 4 on 3-pointers. Ira Cross (Jr., F, Munford, AL/Gadsden State CC) added nine points and Jolen Montoya (Sr., G, Cordova, NM/Neohso County CC) supplied eight points. Jake Holladay (Fr., F, Gilmer, TX/ Gilmer HS) provided six points and seven rebounds. ENMU claimed a 39-28 edge on the glass and forced 16 turnovers by East Central.

The Tigers were led in scoring by Jason Thomas, with 11 points. Chris Bingle scored eight points, while Terrell Carpenter and Dominique Williams each tallied seven points. Geno Odom was ECU’s top rebounder with six caroms. Ian Adams grabbed five rebounds.

ECU was held to 30.2% field goal shooting (16 of 53), including 28.0% in the second half (7 of 25). The Tigers were successful on just 3 of 18 three-point attempts (16.7%) and made 16 of 24 free throws (66.7%).

Eastern will play at Greyhound Arena again on Saturday, Jan. 14 in an LSC crossover game against Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Game time is set for 7 p.m. MST. Southeastern Oklahoma was defeated on Thursday, Jan. 12 by West Texas A&M University, 86-80, in overtime.