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Western New Mexico University Athletics

Western New Mexico University Athletics
CJ Vanbeekum
88
Midwestern St. MSUT 0-8,0-2 Lone Star
98
Winner Western N.M. WNMU 2-7,1-1 Lone Star
Midwestern St. MSUT
0-8,0-2 Lone Star
88
Final
98
Western N.M. WNMU
2-7,1-1 Lone Star
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 F
Midwestern St. MSUT 36 45 7 88
Western N.M. WNMU 42 39 17 98

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Vanbeekum Leads WNMU to Overtime Victory

Silver City, N.M. – CJ Vanbeekum (Phoenix, AZ/Paradise) went off Saturday afternoon, fueling his teams offense on their way to a 98-88 overtime victory over the visiting Midwestern State Mustangs. The senior also chipped in seven rebounds, four steals and a block in the win. WNMU shot 75 percent from the field, 50 from deep, and 66 from the line to outscore MSU 17-7 in the overtime period. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
CJ Vanbeekum (Phoenix, AZ/Paradise) – 22-points | 7 rebounds | 1 block | 4 steals | 1 assist
Malik Sanders (Durham, NC/Smithfield-Selma ) – 18-points | 4 rebounds | 5 assists | 2 steals
Rodney Simon (Boston, MA/Randolph ) – 16-points | 7 rebounds | 1 block | 1 steal
Elijah Holifield (Atlanta, GA/Pace Academy) – 14-points | 3 rebounds | 3 assists | 1 steal | 2 blocks

HOW IT HAPPENED:
  • Elijah Holifield (Atlanta, GA/Pace Academy) kicked things off with a three to put WNMU on the board first.
  • CJ Vanbeekum (Phoenix, AZ/Paradise) would connect beyond the arc, and drew the foul on the following three attempt to put up 6-points within five minutes of play.
  • MSU strung together a series of baskets to go up by five.
  • To add to the threes, Nathan Pelissier (Paris, France /Lycre Albert Camus ) helped to close in on the MSU lead.
  • Around the seven minute mark, WNMU went on an 8-0 scoring run to take the lead.
  • For their largest lead, Eddie Giron (Monterrey, Mexico/Harmony Science Academy) added to the team's threes to go up by nine.
  • Getting it done on the defensive end, Holifield blocked a MSU attempt to send the ball back the other way.
  • Vanbeekum grabbed the offensive board, finding Malik Sanders (Durham, NC/Smithfield-Selma ) under the basket for one last bucket and the 42-36 lead at the half.
  • Despite sinking the first basket for WNMU, MSU went on a 11-0 scoring run to come from behind and take a 47-45 lead.
  • With just under six to play, MSU took their largest with at 72-64.
  • Vanbeekum would be send to line twice, going 4-5 to get within two.
  • Trailing by two with two to play in regulation, two free throws from Malik Sanders (Durham, NC/Smithfield-Selma ) followed by a driving layup from Elijah Holifield (Atlanta, GA/Pace Academy) tied it up at 81.
  • With possession as time ran out, MSU waited too long to get a shot off sending the teams into overtime.
  • With an extra five minutes to play, WNMU utilized the paint and free throws to create a gap.
  • WNMU shot 6-8 from the field, and 4-6 from the line to outscore MSU 17-7 in overtime on their way to a 98-88 victory.
UP NEXT:
With a week left to play in the year, the Mustang men will take one of their longest road trips of the season next weekend. WNMU will look grab wins at Texas A&M International and Texas A&M Kingsville, next Thursday and Saturday respectively.
 
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