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Western New Mexico University Athletics

Western New Mexico University Athletics
Tony Avalos
Jay Hemphill, WNMU
78
Angelo St. ASU 18-7,14-7 Lone Star
83
Winner Western N.M. WNMU 8-19,6-13 Lone Star
Angelo St. ASU
18-7,14-7 Lone Star
78
Final
83
Western N.M. WNMU
8-19,6-13 Lone Star
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Angelo St. ASU 41 37 78
Western N.M. WNMU 44 39 83

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Mustangs Rally to Hold Off Rams

SILVER CITY, N.M. – With just two games left in the regular season, being at home on Drag's Court has proven to be an advantage for the Mustang Men's Basketball team. They made it two straight Thursday night, with an 83-78 win over the visiting Rams of Angelo State.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
Tony Avalos (Las Cruces, NM/Onate) – 10 PTS | 1-1 3FG | 3-4 FT | 2 REB | 1 STL 1 AST | 1 BLK
Elijah Holifield (Atlanta, GA/Pace Academy) – 20 PTS | 7-17 FG | 3-9 3FG | 6 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL
Rodney Simon (Boston, MA/Randolph ) – 11 PTS | 5-5 FG | 5 REB | 2 STL
CJ Vanbeekum (Phoenix, AZ/Paradise) – 12 PTS | 6-9 FG | 2 REB | 3 AST | 2 STL
Malik Sanders (Durham, NC/Smithfield-Selma ) – 20 PTS | 7-13 FG | 4-6 3FG | 6 REB | 3 AST | 2 STL

HOW IT HAPPENED:

A turnover on the Mustangs opening possession, gave way to a 4-0 run for the Rams to start out. ASU led by as many as seven with barely two minutes played, before WNMU went on a 8-2 run of their own to match up at 10. Off the three from Malik Sanders (Durham, NC/Smithfield-Selma ), WNMU took their first lead of the game. After a couple of ties, ASU pulled ahead but not before
Tony Avalos (Las Cruces, NM/Onate) sunk a three pointer of his own to put WNMU ahead by two.

Under five to play in the first, the Rams stayed ahead by a few points anticipating going into the locker room with the lead. Credit Malik Sanders (Durham, NC/Smithfield-Selma ) with the last minute steal, that allowed Elijah Holifield (Atlanta, GA/Pace Academy) to find the net and pull ahead by one. Off the inbound pass, Eddie Giron (Monterrey, Mexico/Harmony Science Academy) notched a steal of his own, following up with the easy basket to take the 44-41 lead at the half.

Sanders was near perfect after the first half, tallying 11 points going 3-for-3 from deep. Holifield was also in double-figures with 15 points after one.

The Mustangs continued to stay in front for most of the second half. Both teams were having success in the paint. Fired up, Sanders stepped back and found the net to give

WNMU their largest lead of four with two minutes to play. With 39 seconds remaining, Holifield took to the foul line with an opportunity to secure a comfortable lead. Missing the free throw attempt on a 1-and-1, ASU was given some hope. Camron Reedus sunk the long shot to give his team just a one point deficit.
Forced to foul, ASU took Avalos to the line who gave his team some breathing room at 81-78. With the defensive board and the foul, Holifield secured the 83-78 win with a pair of free throws.

WNMU shot 51.6 percent from the floor, making it an all-around performance with 11 steals and three blocks.  
It had been almost two years to the date, since the Mustangs last defeated the Rams, and Thursday win marked the first on Drag's Court.

UP NEXT:
Making a final push for the post season, the Mustangs have one last test against the Chaps of Lubbock Christian Saturday at 4 p.m. Before the game, five seniors will cap off their final season with the Purple and Yellow.
 
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