Basketball Set to Take on UT-Permian Basin

Men's Basketball 12/7/2018 10:00:00 AM

Basketball Set to Take on UT-Permian Basin

Silver City, N.M—As both teams come off of a loss, the Western New Mexico Men's and Women's Basketball teams travel to Odessa, Texas to take on conference opponent UT- Permian Basin. The Lady Mustangs started conference play last weekend in Denton, falling to Texas Woman's. The men look for redemption and a fresh start in conference play as they meet up with the Falcons.

On the men's side, the Falcons currently sit at 6-1 overall with their most recent wins coming over Sul Ross State, Our Lady of the Lake and The University of the Southwest. Permian Basin was picked to finish 5th in the preseason poll. In both meetings last year the Falcons prevailed, Dec. 2 (89-47), Jan. 25 (123-83). This game will be the first conference matchup for both teams.

Senior Willie McCray (Clovis, NM/Clovis/Westwind Prep Academy) currently sits third overall in the LSC in scoring, averaging 16.3 points per game. JR Woodson rounds out the top-10 with 13.8 points per game. Woodson also comes in second in field-goal percentage shooting .590 on a 23-39 ratio, and ranks 12th in rebounds.

Leston Gordon (Tunapuna, Trinidad and Tobago/Tunapuna Government Secondary) leads the conference in blocks per game with a 1.8 average in five games played, with a game high four against Fort Lewis. Freshman, Tony Avalos (Las Cruces, NM/Onate) leads the conference in steals per game with 2.2. He posted a career and game high seven this past week against Northern New Mexico.

The UTPB women's team enters the weekend 1-6 overall, and 0-1 in LSC play after a 41-45 loss to Texas Woman's. They were picked to finish two places above the Lady Mustangs at 9th after an 8-20 (6-14 LSC) record last season. The Falcons won both meetings between the teams last year.

The Lady Mustangs are lead by Tatyanna McFarland (Riverside, California/Valley View High School) who comes in at 16th overall in the LSC for scoring, averaging 11.2 points per game in five games played. McFarland also comes in a number two in rebounds with 52 total rebounds for an average of 10.4 per game. Sophomore, Cassandra Vickery (Tularosa, NM/Tularosa) ranks 20th in scoring with 10.8 points per game, with teammate Paulina Rodriguez (Chihuahua, Mexico/Montverde Academy ) following closely behind with 10.2 points. Rodriguez also averages 2.4 three-pointers a game, 7th in the LSC.

Game time are set for the women at 2 p.m. followed by the men at 4 p.m. (CT) Live stats and video stream will be provided.

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Players Mentioned

#13 Cassandra Vickery: G; 5' 7"; Freshman

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

#12 Tatyana McFarland: F; 5' 10"; Senior

#4 Paulina Rodriguez: G; 5' 11"; Junior

#12 Leston Gordon: F; 6' 8"; Senior

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

Players Mentioned

#13 Cassandra Vickery
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: G

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

#12 Tatyana McFarland
: 5' 10"; Senior
: F

#4 Paulina Rodriguez
: 5' 11"; Junior
: G

#12 Leston Gordon
: 6' 8"; Senior
: F

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