Men’s Basketball Remains in New Mexico to Face Cowboys, Mustangs

LAS VEGAS/HOBBS, N.M. – The Mustangs will remain in New Mexico this week after a pair of games in Albuquerque, the Western New Mexico University men's basketball team will face New Mexico Highlands and the University of the Southwest.

WNMU (0-2) will face the Cowboys for the second time in five days as they played on Saturday and will matchup again Wednesday starting at 7 p.m. in Las Vegas. The two teams played a high-scoring affair on Saturday with the Cowboys taking the 85-81 victory. WNMU held an early three-point lead and after NMHU (1-1) held a 10-point lead at the break, the Mustangs fought back to within a point midway through the second stanza before the Cowboys grabbed the victory.

Haneef Vaughn-Wilson (Philadelphia, PA/Constitution) led the Mustangs, while Mike Nwabuzor paced the Cowboys as both scored a game-high 22 points.

Through the first two games of the season, junior Willie McCray (Clovis, NM/Clovis/Westwind Prep Academy) leads the team averaging 22.5 points per game after tallying 26 against Fort Lewis. Vaughn-Wilson is second at 16.5 per contest. McCray leads the team in rebounds at 5.5 per game, while Vaughn-Wilson has seven assists and seven steals. Sophomore Eddie Giron (Monterrey, Mexico/Harmony Science Academy) has both blocks.

WNMU has made 37 percent from the field, while opponents are at 43 percent. The starters have been the same through the first two games in McCray, Vaughn-Wilson, junior Jordan Enriquez (El Paso, TX/Bel Air), junior Jon-Reese Woodson (Corpus Christi, TX/Carroll) and senior Latrell Spivey (Phoenix, AZ/Westview).

NMHU is 1-1 as they nearly defeated Eastern New Mexico on Sunday in Albuquerque before a 66-61 setback. Four players average in double-figures led by 18.5 per game from Nwabuzor. Jordan Jones adds 15, Jacob Holland at 13 and Chris Lewis at 10.5. Lewis is nearly averaging a double-double with 8.5 rebounds. NMHU has made 41 percent from the field, same as their opponents.

To close the trip, the Mustangs will battle the NAIA Mustangs of the University of the Southwest in Hobbs on Friday night starting at 7:30 p.m.

University of the Southwest is 1-4 this season having defeated Northern New Mexico at home, 96-94, back on Nov. 6. They have had two other games decided by three points and one point. They have played in several high-scoring games as they average 85.5 points per game and allow 91 per night. Marcelious Green leads the team at 22 points per game, followed by David Blaylock at 16 per night.

Ron'Quis Lewis leads the team in rebounding at 6.5 per game, while Blaylock has 10 steals. They went 10-19 last season and 7-10 at home.

Live video and stats will be available for the game against New Mexico Highlands only.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#15 Jordan Enriquez: G; 6' 3"; Senior

#32 Eddie Giron: G; 6' 5"; Junior

#23 Willie McCray: G; 6' 1"; Senior

#10 Jon-Reese Woodson: F; 6' 9"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#15 Jordan Enriquez
: 6' 3"; Senior
: G

#32 Eddie Giron
: 6' 5"; Junior
: G

#23 Willie McCray
: 6' 1"; Senior
: G

#10 Jon-Reese Woodson
: 6' 9"; Senior
: F