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Western New Mexico University Athletics

Western New Mexico University Athletics
Tony Avalos
67
Ark.-Fort Smith UAFS 9-12,5-9 Lone Star
76
Winner Western N.M. WNMU 6-16,4-9 Lone Star
Ark.-Fort Smith UAFS
9-12,5-9 Lone Star
67
Final
76
Western N.M. WNMU
6-16,4-9 Lone Star
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Ark.-Fort Smith UAFS 34 33 67
Western N.M. WNMU 35 41 76

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Men's Basketball Make it Two Straight with Win Over UAFS

SILVER CITY, N.M. – Riding high off a big road win the weekend prior, the Mustang men's basketball team hosted newcomer the UAFS Lions in a Thursday night conference clash. It was truly a team effort throughout, as four Mustangs contributed double-figures, while the defense successfully held the conference's leading scorer to under his scoring average. WNMU finished the night shooting 25-of-55 (45%) from the floor, and made the most of their time at the line going 19-of-25 (76%), to aid in their 76-67 victory over the Lions to make it two straight.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
Tony Avalos (Las Cruces, NM/Onate) – 17 PTS | 6-8 FG | 5-6 FT | 1 AST | 3 STL
Andrew Leonard (Tucson, AZ /Cienega ) – 15 PTS | 5-6 3FG | 2 REB | 1 AST
Ian Hohenstein (Veracruz, Mexico/Faith Christian Academy) – 14 PTS | 5-8 FG | 4-4 FT | 3 REB
Malik Sanders (Durham, NC/Smithfield-Selma ) – 11 PTS | 4-6 FT | 7 AST | 6 REB | 3 STL
HOW IT HAPPENED:
On the opening possession the LSC's leading scorer started his point total with a basket in the paint. Tony Avalos (Las Cruces, NM/Onate) then responded with a jumper of his own on the other side of the court to even things up. Just five minutes in, UAFS went 4-for-4 from deep to increase their lead at 13-7. UAFS got up by as many as 11 in the first half, however things started to quiet down for the Lions and click for the Mustangs. A 10-2 run around the 8 minute mark put WNMU within one.

Down by 4, with 2 minutes to go in the half, fouls by the Lions gave way to a handful of free throws two of which by CJ Vanbeekum (Phoenix, AZ/Paradise), sealed the tie and the lead just before the half at 35-34.

Just as the game has started, Tony Avalos (Las Cruces, NM/Onate) made his presence known, connecting on pair of jump shots to go up a quick five points out of the break. It would be a 6-0 run by the WNMU offense, before UAFS got in a three for their first score of the half.

Credit Avalos with the steal, leading to a layup by Malik Sanders (Durham, NC/Smithfield-Selma ) which put his team up by 11, still with plenty of time to play. Threatening to pull within a basket all night, Andrew Leonard (Tucson, AZ /Cienega ) was hot behind the arc giving WNMU some cushion. Leonard's shot spark a series of steals and big time baskets bringing the crowd to their feet.

Just over a minute to play, the Mustangs had created a comfortable lead, making the most of their time at the line to go up by as many as nine. As a final seconds rolled down, the Mustangs pulled down the defensive rebound capping off an exciting 76-67 victory on Drag's Court.
UAFS Matthew Wilson and Brian Hallums carried their team's offense, scoring 52- of the teams 67 points.
The Mustang defense forced over 20 turnovers, snatching 13 steals on the night.
UP NEXT:
Conference play will continue Saturday afternoon, as the Eagles of Oklahoma Christian make their debut on Drag's Court. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. MST.
 
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