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Western New Mexico University Athletics

Western New Mexico University Athletics
CJ Vanbeekum
Jay Hemphill, WNMU
60
Texas-Tyler UTT 6-12,3-10 Lone Star
77
Winner Western N.M. WNMU 4-15,3-8 Lone Star
Texas-Tyler UTT
6-12,3-10 Lone Star
60
Final
77
Western N.M. WNMU
4-15,3-8 Lone Star
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Texas-Tyler UTT 31 29 60
Western N.M. WNMU 27 50 77

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Men's Basketball Defend Home Court Against Patriots

SILVER CITY, N.M. – After dropping a close contest two nights prior, the Western New Mexico men's basketball team sought redemption Saturday against newcomer UT Tyler. Although they trailed at the half, the Mustangs put 50 points together in the second half to claim a decisive 77-60 win at home. Four Mustangs found themselves in double figures, led by Elijah Holifield (Atlanta, GA/Pace Academy) with 18.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
Elijah Holifield (Atlanta, GA/Pace Academy) – 18 PTS | 7-11 FG | 4-6 3PTR | 6 REB | 3 AST | 4 BLKS
CJ Vanbeekum (Phoenix, AZ/Paradise) – 15 PTS | 7-12 FG | 5 REB | 1 STL
Malik Sanders (Durham, NC/Smithfield-Selma ) - 13 PTS | 5-8 FG | 1-2 3PTR | 2-2 FT | 3 REB | 5 AST | 2 STL
Eddie Giron (Monterrey, Mexico/Harmony Science Academy) – 10 PTS | 4-7 FG | 2-3 FT | 5 REB | 1 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK  

HOW IT HAPPENED:
  • It took a couple minutes and a few attempts before either team got on the board. Credit the WNMU though for playing tough defense, blocking UTT shot attempts to keep them scoreless.
  • None other than Elijah Holifield (Atlanta, GA/Pace Academy) would be the first to record the Mustangs first basket, and a three at that.
  • Driving to the basket, Tony Avalos (Las Cruces, NM/Onate) found the net to put WNMU at 10 just under the 10 minute mark.
  • With a quick release, UT Tyler's Darius Alford went back-to-back from deep to regain a 29-27 lead. Another shot put them up by four as the buzzer rang to end the first half.
  • Something clicked for the Mustangs as they came out of the locker room, going on a 7-0 run to go ahead 34-33 just two minutes in.
  • Forcing their opponent to make the mistakes, the Mustangs went on a quick streak, taking their largest lead at that point by 8, six of which came at the hands of CJ Vanbeekum (Phoenix, AZ/Paradise).
  • Halfway through, WNMU's offensive threat continued building up to a 19 point lead after a jump shot from Malik Sanders (Durham, NC/Smithfield-Selma ).
  • Contributions from six different Mustangs, allowed them to put together 50 points in the second half alone.
  • Elijah Holifield (Atlanta, GA/Pace Academy) was a perfect 5-5 from the field, and 3-3 from behind the arc to lead with 13 points in the second half.
  • 42 of the team's 77 points were scored in the paint, shooting at a 53.6 clip on the night.
UP NEXT:
For the second time in as many weeks, the Mustangs will head to Canyon, Texas for a rematch against the Buffs of West Texas A&M. They will then travel back in-state for a grapple with the Greyhounds of Eastern New Mexico Saturday.
 
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