Avalos, Sanders Lead Offense Against WT

Men's Basketball 1/31/2020 6:08:00 AM

Avalos, Sanders Lead Offense Against WT

Box Score CANYON, TX – For the second time in as many weeks, this time in the First United Bank Center, the Western New Mexico Men's Basketball team took on top-ranked West Texas A&M. Turnovers on the Mustangs part proved to be costly, as they committed 14 more than the Buffs, suffering a 81-105 loss in Canyon.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
Tony Avalos (Las Cruces, NM/Onate) – 16 PTS | 6-10 FG | 1-1 3PTR | 3-4 FT | 5 REB | 2 AST
Malik Sanders (Durham, NC/Smithfield-Selma ) – 18 PTS | 7-16 FG | 4-8 3PTR | 8 REB | 2 AST
Rodney Simon (Boston, MA/Randolph ) – 12 PTS | 4-6 FG | 4-7 FT | 4 REB
HOW IT HAPPENED:

WNMU jumped out to a 4-0 lead behind baskets from CJ Vanbeekum (Phoenix, AZ/Paradise) and Elijah Holifield (Atlanta, GA/Pace Academy).
WT would answer however with a series of baskets to go on a 14-0 run, before Rodney Simon (Boston, MA/Randolph ) held his ground under the basket to put in a second chance layup to stop the run.
Malik Sanders (Durham, NC/Smithfield-Selma ) put WNMU back within single digits after adding a quick six points to his stat line on long range shots.
With under five to play in the half, the Mustangs fought to close the gap but the Buffs offense continued to build their lead closing out the half on a 10-0 run.
Although WT opened the second half with a couple of baskets, WNMU's defense turned on the pressure to grab a couple of steals which lead to an 8-0 run.
Under the ten minute mark, off the bench Nathan Pelissier (Paris, France /Lycre Albert Camus ) and George Mosialos (Larissa, Greece/Nikos Mpakogiannis) chipped in a handful of points.
In a last minute effort, Tony Avalos (Las Cruces, NM/Onate) took matters into his own hands on both offense and defense, tallying 16 points on the night to go along with 5 rebounds.

UP NEXT:
After a day off, the team will head back in state to take for another highly anticipated rivalry match with the Greyhounds of Eastern New Mexico. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. MST Saturday in Greyhound Arena.

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Players Mentioned

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

#21 George Mosialos: G; 6' 2"; Senior

#14 CJ Vanbeekum: G/F; 6' 5"; Senior

#12 Elijah Holifield: G; 6' 3"; Fifth Year

#3 Malik Sanders: G; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#34 Rodney Simon: F; 6' 9"; Junior

#22 Nathan Pelissier: F; 6' 5"; Junior

Players Mentioned

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

#21 George Mosialos
: 6' 2"; Senior
: G

#14 CJ Vanbeekum
: 6' 5"; Senior
: G/F

#12 Elijah Holifield
: 6' 3"; Fifth Year
: G

#3 Malik Sanders
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: G

#34 Rodney Simon
: 6' 9"; Junior
: F

#22 Nathan Pelissier
: 6' 5"; Junior
: F