ENMU notches 87-86 win over Javelinas
Jan. 30—KINGSVILLE, Texas — Finally, a late play with the game on the line went Eastern New Mexico University's way.
ENMU survived a nearly-costly turnover and two shots for the win by Texas A&M-Kingsville to edge the Javelinas 87-86 in Lone Star Conference men's action on Saturday, improving to 2-5 in games decided by three points or less.
Senior guard/forward Jahcoree Ealy scored 10 of his game-high 29 points in the final 9 1/2 minutes as the Greyhounds (12-6, 8-4 LSC) returned to the winner's circle after a pair of nailbiting defeats.
Senior guard Greg Johnson added 22 points and six assists while 7-foot-3 freshman center Conrad Luczynski came off the bench for 13 points and eight rebounds. Sophomore forward Jose Murrillo added 10 points and nine boards.
"This is a huge win for us," ENMU men's coach Brent Owen said. "No. 1, we've really struggled on the road. This team (Kingsville) is better than what they look record-wise."
Heading into this week, the Hounds are fifth in the West Division, but only a game behind second-place Lubbock Christian (14-6, 9-3). In between are Angelo State (14-5, 9-4) and Cameron (13-6, 9-4).
The Javelinas (5-13, 3-10) erased a 16-point, first-half deficit and actually led several times down the stretch. Johnson's free throw made it 87-84 with 18 seconds left, but sophomore guard Allen Singleton scored from the paint for Kingsville with eight seconds left and, after a timeout, the Javelinas forced a turnover as ENMU failed to get the ball inbounds.
Senior guard C. J. Smith missed a jumper with five seconds left and the ball went out off ENMU with less than a second showing. Singleton then had an open look at a 3 as time ran out, but it was off the mark.
Smith led the Javelinas with 28 points while Singleton had 15 and freshman forward Zyon Little 14.
"These close games can be a turning point," Owen said. "I hope this win can give us a jolt."
ENMU shot 52 percent for the game, but went just 9-for-18 from the foul line in the second half. The Hounds outscored the Javelinas 48-26 in the paint.
Texas A&M-Kingsville 62, ENMU 56 (women) — The Greyhounds absorbed their second narrow loss of the weekend as the Javelinas (8-12, 4-9) locked it up with four free throws in the final eight seconds.
ENMU (6-12, 2-10) opened an early 10-4 lead on consecutive 3-pointers by senior guard Ashley Shipley and freshman guard Jaz Salon, but Kingsville took control with a 12-0 run to start the second quarter and carried a 38-30 lead into the intermission after a 28-point stanza.
ENMU used another 10-4 surge to pull even, getting four points in that time from junior forward Ishauna Hunter. Kingsville led 48-46 entering the final period and never got ahead by more than the final margin.
Shooting woes continued to plague the Hounds, who were just 20-of-52 from the field and 5-of-21 from distance. Meantime, the Javelinas converted 52 percent of their floor attempts (24-of-46).
Three players reached double digits for the Javelinas, led by junior guard Mia Rivers with 17 points to go with six assists and five steals. Also, senior guard/forward Georgia Ohiaeri added 11 tallies and junior forward Veyda Lake 10 on 5-of-5 shooting.
Senior guard/forward Deja Adrian paced ENMU, posting 13 of her 20 points in the second half, and Hunter finished with 18. Salon played the entire 40 minutes while Adrian played 39.
ENMU squads return to Greyhound Arena this week, welcoming Angelo State on Thursday and Texas-Permian Basin on Saturday.
