Eastern Hits 13 of 23 Three-Point Shots in 83-65 Victory over Southeastern Oklahoma
Montoya Scores 18 to Lead Four Hounds in Double Figures

Box Score

PORTALES, N.M. — Eastern New Mexico University sank 13 of 23 three-pointers and shot 55.7% overall (34 of 61), as the Greyhounds defeated visiting Southeastern Oklahoma State University, 83-65, at Greyhound Arena on Saturday, Jan. 14. Jolen Montoya (Sr., G, Cordova, NM/ Neosho County CC) was 4 of 8 from 3-point range and scored 18 points to lead four Greyhounds in double figures. ENMU moved to 6-9 with the LSC crossover victory, while the Savages of Southeastern Oklahoma dropped to 8-6.

ENMU received at least one three-pointer from five players, including four by Montoya, three each by Tristan Largent (Jr., G, Martinsburg, WV/Garrett College) and Stephen Wilson (Jr., G, Heflin, AL/Gadsden State CC), two by Travis Carr (Jr., G, Colorado Springs, CO/Otero JC) and one by Joshua Jackson (Fr., G, Madison, WI/Madison West HS). The Greyhounds shot 53.8% from 3-point range (7 of 13) in the first half on their way to a 47-40 halftime lead, then hit 60.0% (6 of 10) in the second half.

The Greyhounds never trailed after taking a 5-4 lead with 18:21 left in the first half, but held just a four point lead, 59-55, at the 9:12 mark of the second half, following an 8-0 run by the Savages. Eastern responded with an 11-0 offensive surge for a 70-55 advantage with 6:01 on the clock. Largent, Wilson and Montoya each nailed a 3-pointer during the decisive run.

Largent generated much of Eastern’s offense, as he scored 11 points and provided 12 assists for his first double-double since joining the Greyhounds this fall. He had just two turnovers in 34 minutes played and assisted on three of Montoya’s four three-pointers. Montoya, who went 0 for 2 on three-point attempts in the first half, was 4 for 6 from long range in the second half.

Montoya and Largent received double-digit scoring support from Wilson, with 15 points, and from Mikal Monette (Jr., F, Albuquerque, NM/University of New Mexico), with 11 points. Monette battled foul trouble throughout the game — he had two fouls in the first six minutes — but led all players with eight rebounds and was 5 of 7 from the field in just 18 minutes played. It was his eighth consecutive game with double-figure scoring for the Greyhounds.

Largent led an efficient ENMU offense that recorded 25 assists on 34 baskets. Montoya added six assists, four rebounds, three steals and one turnover in 35 minutes. Wilson tacked on four rebounds and two assists.

Eastern limited Southeastern Oklahoma’s leading scorer for the season, 6’8” forward Eric Babers, to 12 points, six points under his average. He took just seven shots and converted four, while providing the Savages with three assists and three rebounds. SE Oklahoma was led by Jason Stampley, who connected on 7 of 18 field goals, including 5 of 14 three-pointers, on his way to a to a game-high 21 points. Stampley scored 15 of his points in the first half, but was held by Montoya to 2 of 8 shooting in the second half.

Stephen Harrel added 13 points, five rebounds and five steals for the Savages, while Matthew White scored 13 points and hauled down six boards. SE Oklahoma earned 10 steals to Eastern’s eight, but the Savages committed more turnovers than the Greyhounds, 18 to 15. ENMU also achieved a 32-24 rebounding edge.

The Savages shot 52.0% (13 of 25) from the field in the first half, but couldn’t keep pace with Eastern’s three-point shooting, even though SOSU connected on a respectable 4 of 11 three-pointers (36.4%) in the opening 20 minutes. The Savages slipped to 40.9% overall shooting in the second half (9 of 22), including just 1 of 10 on three-point shots.

Eastern achieved its 18-point margin of victory despite taking just five free throw attempts during the game, as the Greyhounds scored only two points at the charity stripe. SE Oklahoma was 16 of 21 (76.2%) at the free throw line.

ENMU finished its LSC crossover schedule with a 2-5 record against North Division teams. Eastern was 0-4 on the road and 2-1 at home in crossover play. Crossover games do not count in the LSC divisional standings.

The Greyhounds will open LSC South Division play on Thursday, Jan. 19 at Angelo State University. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. MST. Eastern will remain on the road to take on Abilene Christian University in another LSC South game on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 3 p.m. MST.