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Western New Mexico University Athletics

Western New Mexico University Athletics
Jordan Enriquez
Jay Hemphill, WNMU
92
Winner UT Permian Basin UTPB 15-4, 7-3 LSC
69
Western N.M. WNMU 2-16, 0-10 LSC
Winner
UT Permian Basin UTPB
15-4, 7-3 LSC
92
Final
69
Western N.M. WNMU
2-16, 0-10 LSC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
UT Permian Basin UTPB 46 46 92
Western N.M. WNMU 29 40 69

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Brian Kortz

Enriquez Tallies 22 Points for Mustangs Against UTPB

SILVER CITY, N.M. – Sophomore Jordan Enriquez (El Paso, TX/Bel Air ) went for a game-high 22 points to lead the Western New Mexico University men's basketball team against UT Permian Basin. The Falcons countered with five players in double-figures to take the 92-69 Lone Star Conference victory Thursday evening.

For Enriquez, it was a return to the start of the season numbers for him as three of the first four games of the season he reached 20 or more points. His 22-point game was the first since Nov. 18 against New Mexico Highlands. He made 5-12 from the field, 3-6 from downtown and added nine free throws. He also grabbed three rebounds, an assist and two steals. Sophomore Willie McCray (Clovis, NM/Clovis/Westwind Prep Academy ) added 11 points, four assists and two steals, while freshman Eddie Giron (Monterrey, Mexico/Harmony Science Academy) rounded out the three in double-figures going for 10 points and five rebounds. Junior Latrell Spivey (Phoenix, AZ/Westview) was close to his normal double-double numbers with seven points and nine rebounds.

It was a great start for WNMU (2-16, 0-10 LSC) as they came out of the gate shooting. With UTPB (15-4, 7-3 LSC) taking the early 2-0 lead, WNMU answered with an 8-0 run. McCray got the offense going with a three. Enriquez added his own three and then a pair from the foul line by senior Emery Range (Grand Rapids, MI/Willow Canyon) had WNMU looking at an 8-2 advantage.

Just as quickly as WNMU had their run, UTPB answered right back. The Falcons ripped off the next eight points in under a minute to regain the lead at 10-8. The Mustangs fought back to regain the lead just over five minutes in when Enriquez cashed in a jumper in the paint for the 14-13 lead.

The Falcons then brought up the defensive intensity and held the Mustangs without a point for over six minutes and in the process went on a 14-0 run to take a 27-14 lead.

Enriquez had the deficit back to single digits with 7:35 to play in the half when he hit another three-pointer, but the Falcons hit their own three on the ensuing trip and took a 46-29 lead at halftime.

UTPB moved the lead into the 20's early in the second half, but WNMU kept fighting back. Sophomore Josey Mills (Alamogordo, NM/Alamogordo) hit two from the line and then a McCray jumper in the paint on the fastbreak had the Mustangs back to within 14 with 13 minutes to play.

Each time it seemed WNMU was threatening to come back, the Falcons were ready. After they built the lead back into the 20's, WNMU made one last run. Freshman CJ Vanbeekum (Phoenix, AZ/Paradise) hit a three and then after he hit two from the charity stripe, Enriquez ripped his third three of the game on a pull-up fastbreak trey to bring the Mustangs back to within 14 at 73-59 with 6:44 to play in the contest.

That ended up being as close as the Mustangs could get the rest of the way, with UTPB closing the game by outscoring WNMU by nine.

Josh Morris led the Falcons with 17 points, while Johnnie Lacy added 14, James McPherson with 13 and both Daeshon Francis and Sammy Allen with 12 points apiece. It was a monster game on the boards for Allen as he brought down 20 rebounds, with 13 coming on the defensive end.

WNMU ended up making 19-61 (31) from the field, 9-30 (30) from three and 22-34 (65) at the foul line. UTPB answered making 33-69 (48), 6-23 (26) from three and 20-28 (71) at the foul line.

The Mustangs led in fastbreak points (9-8) and points off turnovers (17-16). UTPB took the other categories including second-chance points (16-9), bench points (24-15) and points in the paint (50-16).

UTPB entered the game receiving votes in the latest NABC Poll and are ranked 15th in the media poll.

WNMU will close the week on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. against No. 20/No. 18 West Texas A&M. The Buffs suffered a 96-83 loss earlier tonight at Eastern New Mexico.
 
 
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