Silver City, NM - 628 days ago, was the last time the Western New Mexico University Men's Basketball team played their last home game.Thursday night was their first home game at Drags Court this season and the first time since 2006 the Mustangs walked off the court 3-0. WNMU took on Southwest Assemblies of God American Indian College, defeating the Warriors 94-63.

"Western New Mexico is a special place. We have a rich basketball history, so I am glad our team did something tonight that hasn't been done in a little while. I am very proud of our guys. It starts with them," said Head Coach Zane Gibson.

Four Mustang players scored in the double-digits. Robert Banks (Dallas,TX /Duncanville HS) led the floor with 21pts of the bench. Tony Avalos (Las Cruces, NM/Onate HS) and Jordan Doss (Chicago, Ill./Chicago Hope Academy) continue to make baskets. Avalos ended the night with 16pts and Doss with 15pts. Malik Johnson (Wytheville, Virginia/George Wythe High School) had ended his night with 13pts as well.

"Robert had a lot of offensive rebounds, creating more opportunities to score," said Gibson. 

The Mustangs had 13 offensive rebounds, Banks had 7 of the 13. WNMU out rebound SAGUAIC 41-29, which would translate to more chances to score. The Mustangs shot 49.3% (36-73 FG) on the floor compared to the Warriors 36.1% (22-61 FG).

Avalos continues to be a force of reckon on both sides of the ball. Offensively Avalos had 16pts, was 2-4 on 3FGs, and had two assists. On the Defensive side, Avalos boarded three rebounds and had 5 steals.

Both Doss and Johnson led the team with three 3FGs made. Johnson led everyone with 9 rebounds.

"The team is really putting in the work and the results are coming," said Gibson. "We still have a tremendous amount of work to do."

WNMU forced 24 turnovers from the Warriors and would have 30pts off of those turnovers. The Mustangs coughed up the ball 18 times, resulting in SAGUAIC cashing in 17pts off turnovers.

Working hard in the paint, the Mustangs had 52pts from inside the paint. The Mustangs bench capitalized on their minutes, scoring 36pts.

PLAYERS TO HIGHLIGHT:

R. Banks: 21pts, 7 oreb, 3 ast, 3 stl

T. Avalos: 16pts, 2 reb, 4 ast, 5 stl

J. Doss: 15pts, 3 reb, 1 blk

M. Johnson: 13pts, 9 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl

"I am certainly happy where we are at and where I believe we are going," said Gibson. "I also want to thank all the fans who came out tonight. It was pretty darn cool to have people back in the stands!"

The Mustangs will play SAGUAIC again tomorrow afternoon at 3:30pm.

This game recap is presented by First American Bank. First American Bank is a proud supporter of WNMU Athletics!  

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 Western New Mexico University is a member of the NCAA Division II, and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). For additional information regarding Mustang Athletics, visit www.wnmumustangs.com; visit wnmu.edu for more information about Western New Mexico University. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @WNMUathletics (Twitter & Instagram).