Box Score LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University men's basketball team held a lead into the second half when New Mexico Highlands University came back and held off a late Mustang charge for the 90-86 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Saturday afternoon.


Western New Mexico University (WNMU) opened a four-point lead in the first half on a three from Andy Sohlich (Battle Creek, MI/St. Phillip Catholic Central High School) and a 11-7 lead six minutes in. The lead would remain around four over the next several minutes before Sohlich connected on a pair from the line for a 22-16 advantage with nine minutes to go in the half.


Sohlich continued his hot hand ripping another deep ball two minutes later for a nine-point lead, 27-18.


New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) came back to tie the game before WNMU closed the half strong to take a 44-38 lead into the locker room with Juan Suarez (Nogales, AZ/Nogales High School) tallying the final basket on a layup.


NMHU (8-9, 6-7 RMAC) stormed out of the locker room on fire, scoring the first eight points to take a 46-44 lead just a minute in.


With the Cowboys ahead by two, 53-51, WNMU (6-11, 5-8 RMAC) then heated up, with Brelan Berry (Chandler, AZ/Basha High School) triggering an 11-0 run with a layup off an assist from Chad Carter (Tucson, AZ/Ironwood Ridge High School). Carter added a free throw, which Lucio Luttrell (Las Cruces, NM/Las Cruces High School) followed with a tip-in and a pair of free throws around a layup from Merle Branch (Sierra Vista, AZ/Buena High School). Suarez capped the run with two from the line for a 62-53 lead with 15 minutes to go in the contest.


It was a second stanza of runs, with NMHU coming back with a 9-0 scoring run to tie the game at 62 near the midway point of the half.


After NMHU went up by six, 72-66, with eight to play, Chad Arechiga (Tucson, AZ/Ironwood Ridge) kept the Mustangs close with a jumper to bring them back within four.


The Cowboys again responded with a 10-0 run to open an 82-68 lead with six minutes to play.


The Mustangs refused to go away, as Sohlich delivered a three-pointer and then Carter tallied a layup and completed the three-point-play with a free throw for an 82-74 game with still four minutes to play.


After the teams traded scores and each team went without a basket for a couple minute stretch, Sohlich made another one from downtown to bring WNMU within four, 84-80, with still 1:37 to play.


NMHU would hit a pair of free throws and again Sohlich wouldn't be denied hitting another one from beyond the arc to trim the deficit to three, 86-83, with 55 seconds to play.


WNMU had a chance to tie on the next trip with NMHU turning the ball over, but Sohlich's three just missed with NMHU pulling in the rebound. The Mustangs were forced to foul and the Cowboys only hit one of two leaving it a four point game. On the ensuing possession, WNMU was called for an offensive foul turning the ball back over to NMHU. The Cowboys again sank two from the line to stretch the lead to six with 37 seconds to play. Carter quickly pushed the ball up court and canned a three making it an 89-86 game with 30 seconds to play.


NMHU would split a pair from the line leaving it a four point game and WNMU's ensuing three-point attempt from Sohlich missed ending the game giving the Cowboys the narrow victory.


Sohlich came off the bench to lead the Mustangs in points with 22, as he went 6-of-10 from three-point range. Suarez added 19, while Carter (11) and Luttrell (10) were also in double-figures. Luttrell just missed out on a double-double with nine rebounds. Brelan Berry (Chandler, AZ/Basha High School) in his return to the lineup also had nine rebounds.


NMHU's Lavell McDade led all scorers going for 25, as he also made six three-pointers.


Both teams shot well from the field, with WNMU making 29-of-62 (46.8), while NMHU hit right at 50 percent (33-66). NMHU held a slight edge in three-pointers (12-10), while WNMU had the advantage in free throws (18-12).


WNMU will remain on the road this coming Friday as they will play the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs with game time at 7:30 p.m.