Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Western New Mexico University Athletics

Western New Mexico University Athletics
Willie McCray
Jay Hemphill, WNMU
89
Winner Western N.M. WNMU 1-3
84
Southwest (NM) USW 1-5
Winner
Western N.M. WNMU
1-3
89
Final
84
Southwest (NM) USW
1-5
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Western N.M. WNMU 37 52 89
Southwest (NM) USW 36 48 84

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Brian Kortz

Strong Play Down the Stretch Leads Mustangs to Victory

HOBBS, N.M. – Trailing by eight midway through the second half, the Western New Mexico University men's basketball team dug deep and fought back down the stretch to overtake the University of the Southwest to pull out the tight 89-84 victory Friday night.

WNMU (1-3) looked to be in trouble trailing 69-61 with nine minutes to play in the game. Junior Willie McCray (Clovis, NM/Clovis/Westwind Prep Academy), sophomore CJ Vanbeekum (Phoenix, AZ/Paradise) and redshirt sophomore Trevin Ramirez (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) all tallied baskets to get to within two during a 6-0 run.

Another run by USW (1-5) had them back in front by six, but senior Latrell Spivey (Phoenix, AZ/Westview) connected on a jumper following an offensive rebound and McCray then drained a trey to cut the deficit to one at 73-72 with still five minutes to play.

Each time when it looked like the Mustangs were ready to take the lead, USW answered. They made one last push to jump back in front at 80-75 with just 2:37 to play which set the stage for WNMU to make the clutch plays and grab the win.

Junior Jordan Enriquez (El Paso, TX/Bel Air) started the run with a jumper and after junior Haneef Vaughn-Wilson (Philadelphia, PA/Constitution) hit two at the foul line, he added a jumper following a McCray steal to boost WNMU in front by one. Spivey made it a three-point separation when he drilled a jumper with just 33 seconds to play.

After USW connected on two from the line to get back to within one, McCray drew another foul and calmly hit two at the charity stripe to go back in front by three at 85-82 with 23 seconds to play.

USW then had a chance to tie, as Jim Coleman was fouled on a three-point attempt. He made the first, but then missed the second, before hitting the third to leave it an 85-84 lead for WNMU.

Enriquez hit two clutch free throws as USW was forced to foul to preserve time and with the lead at three, USW tried to push the ball, but turned it over and McCray added two more free throws to seal the victory.

WNMU powered out to a pair of five-point leads in the first half with Vanbeekum and junior O'Shayne Reid (Jamaica, NY/John Bowne) connecting on points to move the Mustangs to a 26-21 lead midway through the opening half. The teams continued to trade leads the remainder of the half before Spivey hit a jumper late in the half to give WNMU a 37-36 lead at the break.

WNMU held several small leads to start the second half, before USW moved out to their largest lead of the game at eight to setup the rally for the Mustangs.
McCray and Vaughn-Wilson each scored over 20 points with McCray collecting 25 points on 7-15 shooting, while adding a 9-11 effort from the foul line, four rebounds and three steals. Vaughn-Wilson collected 21 points on 8-10 shooting, with six rebounds, two assists and three steals. Spivey went for a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, making 7-15 from the field.

WNMU held a big advantage at the foul line making 28 to just 13 for USW. WNMU made 29-66 (44) from the field, 3-11 (27) from three and 28-39 (72) at the foul line. USW ended up shooting well from the field making 33-60 (55), 5-20 (25) from three and 13-23 (57) at the foul line. WNMU forced 17 turnovers and committed just 10.

Coleman led USW with 23 points, while David Blaylock added 19 points and Marcelious Green tallied 15 points.

WNMU will now travel to California where they will face No. 14 Cal Baptist this coming Tuesday starting at 7 p.m. Pacific Time. They will also face Division I California-Riverside on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Pacific Time in an exhibition contest.
 
 
Print Friendly Version