Mustangs Return From Break to Host Embry Riddle

SILVER CITY, N.M. – Having last played on December 13, the Western New Mexico University men's basketball team returns from the holiday break to host NAIA Embry Riddle this Saturday starting at 1 p.m. inside Drag's Court.

The Mustangs (2-10) last were on the court against Arizona Christian at home on Dec. 13 when the Firestorm held on for the seven-point win. It was the end to a busy week as WNMU played four games within a week after also playing Tarleton State and Texas A&M-Commerce on the road, before coming home to host University of the Southwest and Arizona Christian.

WNMU will be looking to snap a six-game slide as the last win came at home on Nov. 27 when the Mustangs rolled to a 20-point win against Texas A&M International. It will be a relatively quick turnaround after the game against Embry Riddle as WNMU will return to Lone Star Conference play on Jan. 2 at Eastern New Mexico.

Juniors Willie McCray (Clovis, NM/Clovis/Westwind Prep Academy) and Haneef Vaughn-Wilson (Philadelphia, PA/Constitution) lead the team in scoring with both averaging over 10 points per game. McCray leads the way with 14.3 per game, while Vaughn-Wilson adds another 10.1 per contest. Vaughn-Wilson leads the team in assists with 30 and steals with 22. Senior Latrell Spivey (Phoenix, AZ/Westview) leads the team at 6.5 rebounds per game and adds 8.3 points per game. He has sent back a team-best eight blocks. The Mustangs average 67 points per game and allow 80 points per game while making 37 percent from the field and allowing 45 percent.

Embry Riddle won last year's game in Prescott 78-62 back on Nov. 16. Four players scored in double-figures led by junior Jordan Enriquez (El Paso, TX/Bel Air)'s 13. Emery Range and Spivey added 12 points, while McCray tallied 11.

The Eagles are 7-4 this season and pulled off a big 82-70 win back on Nov. 13 up in Flagstaff against Northern Arizona. Embry Riddle has three wins in their last four games defeating Benedictine Mesa, Yellowstone Christian and Bacone most recently on Dec. 20. The only loss during that stretch was against Menlo by three points.

Gilbert Ibarra leads the team in scoring averaging 14 points per game. Three others are also in double-figures including Logan Skurdal (13), Nick Johnson (12) and Calvin Carmichael (10). Johnson is nearly averaging a double-double with eight rebounds per game. They average 77 points and allow 70 points, making 45 percent from the field and allowing 40 percent.

WNMU ranks in the top-three in the LSC in four categories including first in three point field goal defense (31) and second in steals per game (7.8), total rebounds (445) and total steals (94). Individually, Vaughn-Wilson ranks second in the conference in both totals steals and steals per game (1.83), Spivey is fourth in offensive rebounds per game (2.50) and sixth in total rebounds (78), McCray is eighth in total steals (16).

Live video and stats will be available for the game.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

Players Mentioned

#15 Jordan Enriquez

#23 Willie McCray

Players Mentioned

#15 Jordan Enriquez

#23 Willie McCray