Box Score LAS VEGAS, N.M. – A last-second jumper helped cap the Western New Mexico University men's basketball 2013-14 campaign with a victory. Trailing by a point with 12 seconds to play, junior point guard Terrez Scott (Santa Clarita, CA/Valencia) hit a jumper with two seconds left to send the Mustangs to the 83-82 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory over New Mexico Highlands University Saturday.


"We showed what the definition of heart was. We played hard and smart as well," first-year head coach Jeff Law said. "With us only having eight guys on the trip was a daunting task. Each and every one contributed to the win. Terrez was not to be denied. Chad Arechiga (Tucson, AZ/Ironwood Ridge) and Marcos Castrillo (San Francisco, CA/Pinole Valley) hit big shots as well, but the whole team had a hand in this victory."


The game was setting up to be a close back-and-forth affair with seven ties and eight lead changes in just the second half. WNMU (2-23, 2-20 RMAC) held a four-point lead at the 12:19 mark of the second half following free throws from senior Edward Estavillo (Wilcox, AZ/Wilcox). NMHU (11-15, 8-14 RMAC) would come back to tie at the 11:24 mark at 63-all.


The margin would swing between a point or two lead for both teams or tied over the next six-plus minutes when Castrillo stretched the lead back to four with a layup and a 73-69 edge.


The lead shrunk to one with under-five to play just in time for Scott to add to his team-high 23 points with a jumper a minute later and extend the lead back to three.


The Mustangs appeared to be ready to run and hide with the lead as Scott and Arechiga combined for back-to-back threes to break open a 75-all tie and give WNMU an 81-75 lead with two minutes to play.


The Cowboys didn't go away, instead coming back with a 6-0 run to knot the game for the 13^th time at 81 with a minute to play.
That then set the stage for Scott's heroics, as NMHU split a pair from the line to take a one-point lead before Scott's game-winner. The Cowboys attempted one last shot, but the three-point heave fell short.


"Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is progress and working together is success!" Scott said. "I didn't hit a game-winner tonight, the team hit it! Because without them I am nothing."


Castrillo had WNMU ahead four early at 7-3 on a layup three minutes in. NMHU would come back to take a pair of five-point leads when Estavillo connected on a trey at the midway point of the opening stanza to push the Mustangs back in front, 20-19.
The Cowboys would hold a lead by as many as seven before halftime, bit WNMU fought back and took a 43-41 lead into the locker room on a layup by freshman forward Enrique Borroel (El Paso, TX/Riverside).


WNMU then enjoyed their own five-point leads with sophomore guard Adam Kesler (Silver City, NM/Silver) hitting a three 18 seconds out of the break for a 46-41 lead and then a Castrillo layup a few seconds later kept the lead still at five, 48-43.


The teams then traded leads or ties throughout most of the second half setting the stage for the exciting finish.


Scott made 10-of-13 from the field, including a three-pointer to lead WNMU with 23 points. He also grabbed a double-double with 11 rebounds. Arechiga and Castrillo each posted 18 points apiece. Arechiga made 5-of-6 from beyond the arc, while Castrillo tallied seven rebounds. Dom Baca led NMHU and all-scorers with 27 points.


WNMU shot a sizzling season-high 57.7 percent (30-52) from the field. The Mustangs also ripped 10-of-18 (55.6) from downtown and made 13 free throws. The Mustangs bested the Cowboys in all of those areas except for threes as NMHU made 19. They shot 46.6 (27-58) from the field and made nine free throws.


Points in the paint belonged to WNMU (36-12), as well as points off turnovers (20-14).


It was the final game as Mustangs for Arechiga, Estavillo and Brelan Berry (Chandler, AZ/Basha High School). Ryan Crane (Anthem, AZ/Boulder Creek High School) and Nate Murdock (Phoenix, AZ/Pinnacle High School) will also be graduating.