Basketball Opens the New Year against Eastern New Mexico

Men's Basketball 1/3/2019 9:31:00 AM

Basketball Opens the New Year against Eastern New Mexico

Silver City, NM—The Women's Basketball team finished off the year with a win over Sul Ross State on the 30^th to bring their season record to 5-4, 1-1 in conference play. The Mustang men finished their fall season back on the 17^th of December, falling to St. Edwards 98-85 bringing their record to 3-5 overall. They have not had a conference match up since a loss at UTPB.

The new year will tip-off with the women on Thursday at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men at 7:30 against in-state rival Eastern New Mexico.

DEFENDING HOME COURT

The Lady Mustangs have already surpassed their season wins from last season, and matched their season wins from the 16'-17' season under third year Head Coach Lauren Unger. Junior transfer, Sara Lopez (El Paso, Texas/Horizon High School) has helped fuel the Western offense, and currently averages 10.6 points per game, hitting 11-of-45 (24%) from beyond the arc and 28-of-35 (80%) from the line. Following closely behind is fellow transfer, senior Tatyanna McFarland (Riverside, California/Valley View High School). McFarland averages 10 points in nine games played, going 30-of-68 (44%) from the floor, and 22-of-27 from the free throw line (82%). Defensively, McFarland grabs 9.2 rebounds on average.

Sophomore Cassandra Vickery (Tularosa, NM/Tularosa) had a field day against Sul Ross State, going 6-of-8 from the field, racking up 13 points to help the Lady Mustangs to their fifth win of the season.

NEW YEAR NEW START

The men's basketball team sits 3-5 overall and 0-1 in conference play. Despite a four game losing streak, the rest of the season looks promising for the Mustangs. Third season Head Coach Matt Enriquez led his team to their first 2-0 start since the 06'-07' season after defeating New Mexico Highlands, and Fort Lewis in the preseason Conference Challenge.

Jon-Reese Woodson (Corpus Christi, TX/Carroll) leads the way for the Mustangs averaging 13.6 points per game, followed closely behind by teammate Willie McCray (Clovis, NM/Clovis/Westwind Prep Academy) with 13.4 points per game. Their last time out, Woodson dropped 25 points, on 7-of-12 from the field and 11-of-17 from the free throw line.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS

On the women's side, Eastern enters the matchup 7-3 overall, and 2-0 in LSC play. Just before the break the Greyhounds dropped a close match to Oklahoma Christian, followed by a loss to Lubbock Christian on New Years Eve. Senior, Treyanna Clay currently leads the team in scoring, averaging 13 points per game. Defensively, Alivia Lewis grabs an average of nine rebounds per game to lead the Greyhounds.

For the men, the Greyhounds are 5-5 overall, and 2-0 in LSC play. They saw their four-game winning streak snapped by Oklahoma Christian on the 29^th of Dec. Senior, Zach Parker leads the scoring efforts averaging 10. 2 points per game.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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