Mustangs Set for Road Trip Against Texans, Lions

STEPHENVILLE/COMMERCE, Texas – The Western New Mexico University men's basketball team will close out the 2017 portion of their Lone Star Conference schedule this week against Tarleton State and Texas A&M-Commerce.

The Mustangs (2-6, 0-2 LSC) have five games left before the end of 2017 as after the two conference games this week, they will host three non-conference games against University of the Southwest, Arizona Christian and Embry Riddle before returning to conference action against Eastern New Mexico in Portales on Jan. 2.

Junior Willie McCray (Clovis, NM/Clovis/Westwind Prep Academy) has either led the team or tied for the team lead in scoring in five of the games this year. He leads the team averaging 16.5 points per game, along with pulling down 3.6 rebounds and posting 11 steals. Junior Haneef Vaughn-Wilson (Philadelphia, PA/Constitution) is second on the team at 12.4 points per game, while leading the team in assists with 19. Senior Latrell Spivey (Phoenix, AZ/Westview) averages 8.8 points and 6.9 rebounds, while leading the way in blocks with six. WNMU averages 68 points and allows 80 points, making 38 percent from the field and allowing 44 percent.

Individually, Vaughn-Wilson ranks third in the conference in steals and fourth in steals per game (1.88). Spivey is fifth in offensive rebounds per game (2.25) and eighth in both rebounds per game (6.9) and total rebounds (55). McCray is sixth in field goals made (46), seventh in total points (132), and eighth in points per game.

As a team, WNMU is first in the conference and 27^th nationally in holding teams to just a 30 percent three-point percentage, third in steals per game (7.3), fourth in field goal percentage defense (44), total steals (58), turnover margin (2.4) and turnovers per game (12.5), fifth in fewest fouls (155), and offensive rebounds per game (11.25).

Last year's meetings on the road in early February, Tarleton State won 86-45 and Texas A&M-Commerce picked up a 112-79 victory.

Tarleton State is 4-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play as they defeated Midwestern State, but fell by a point to Cameron. They are 3-2 at home this season as they average 79 points and allow 73 points, making 44 percent from the field and allowing 40 percent. Corinthian Ramsey leads the team at 19.6 points per game, followed by Josh Hawley's 18.3 points and Jaraan Lands at 10.3 per game. Hawley nearly averages a double-double with 9.0 rebounds per game.

Texas A&M-Commerce, currently receiving votes in the latest NABC Poll, are 7-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play, as they escaped with a one-point win at Cameron, before rolling to an 18-point win at Midwestern State. They are 1-0 at home this season having defeated Oklahoma City. They average 75 points and allow 65 points, making 48 percent from the field, while opponents are at 42 percent. Four players average in double-figures led by 15.3 per game from Willie Rooks. Reggis Reid (14), Dorian Armstrong (13.1) and Trey Conrod (10.1) round out the others in double-figures. Armstrong is nearly averaging a double-double with 9.4 rebounds.

WNMU will face Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. Central Time, as the gametime was moved up to accommodate the Lions hosting a national semifinal playoff game.

Live video and stats will be available for both games, while live audio will be available for the game against Tarleton State.

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Players Mentioned

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

Players Mentioned

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

Players Mentioned

#23 Willie McCray

Players Mentioned

#23 Willie McCray