Big Time Plays in Crunch Time Give Mustangs the Edge in Conference Challenge Finale

Box Score Albuquerque, NM--The Western New Mexico University men's basketball team made some timely shots and got some important stops on the defensive end in the closing minutes Saturday afternoon to defeat the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks by a score 74-70. The matchup featured the two winners from the first day of the Conference Challenge, an annual classic played between two teams from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and the Lone Star Conference.

Early on it was a tight game as neither team could grab a commanding lead. Both teams were finally able to get some offense going, and the Mustangs took the largest lead for either team in the first half at 24-16 on a mid-range jumper by Alfredo Rodriguez (Aguascalientes, Mexico/Harmony Science Academy). Fort Lewis would cut into the deficit before halftime, but Western would go to the locker room leading 34-30.

It was the same story to begin the second half as the two teams continued to trade baskets for the first few possessions before an 8-0 run by the Mustangs, capped by a jump shot by Jon-Reese Woodson (Corpus Christi, TX/Carroll), gave them a ten-point lead 42-32, forcing the Skyhawks to take a quick timeout. The lead would not last, however, as two offensive put-backs followed by back-to-back three-pointers by Fort Lewis tied the game at 42-42. The lead would change back and forth throughout the half with Fort Lewis holding a 64-58 lead at the final media time out of the game. With just under four minutes to play the Mustangs would begin their final run. A corner three by C.J. Vanbeekum off a fast break, followed by a steal by Willie McCray (Clovis, NM/Clovis/Westwind Prep Academy) that led to free throws for Woodson, another defensive stop, and two more free throws for McCray gave Western a 65-64 lead with 2:07 to play. The Skyhawks would keep it close, but strong defensive play by the Mustangs and another pair of made free throws by Vanbeekum with four seconds left would ice the game, giving Western the victory with a final score of 74-70.

The two wins on the weekend give Western its first 2-0 start since the 2006-07 season when the Mustangs defeated Grand Canyon University and the University of Texas-Permian Basin in their first two regular season games. Head Coach Matt Enriquez said after the game, "I am so happy for our players! They showed a lot of heart and toughness today. They definitely earned this win over a great Fort Lewis team. This was a big weekend for them, and more importantly for our program,"
The Mustangs won using a balanced scoring attack with four players finishing in double figures. Woodson led the way with 15 points, while Vanbeekum and McCray added 12 apiece, and Tony Avalos (Las Cruces, NM/Onate) had 11.

The Mustangs are back in action November 14 when they host New Mexico Highlands University in their first home game of the season. Tip is scheduled for 6:00pm.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

#42 Alfredo Rodriguez: C; 7' 2"; Junior

#4 Tony Avalos: G; 5' 10"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

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

#42 Alfredo Rodriguez
: 7' 2"; Junior
: C

#4 Tony Avalos
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: G