Silver City, N.M. – Saturday night at the Burg Center, the Western New Mexico University's men's basketball team lost a physical game after leading at halftime against Dallas Baptist University, 78-67.

Tony Avalos (Las Cruces, NM/Onate HS) had a big night for the Mustangs, having a season-high 18pts. Cash Williams (Fresno, CA /Central East HS) continues to shoot the ball well, knocking down 17pts of his own. WNMU shot 48% from the field and 41% beyond the arc.

The Mustangs outplayed the Patriots in the first half, dominating the boards 23 to DBU's 9. With a back-and-forth battle mist if the half, the momentum swung to WNMU after Nathan Pelissier (Bois Colombes, France/Lycree Albert Camus) and Williams had hit back-to-back 3-point shots with 4:00 minutes left in the half. The Mustangs were running into the locker room with their first lead at the half 32-30.

In the second half, DBU regrouped and came out with a vengeance. Cameron Kahn led the Patriots, netting a career-high 27pts. Chandler Jacobs didn't disappoint on his senior night, netting 20pts.

DBU was off to a 17 point lead, much due to getting to the free-throw line. The Patriots ended the night capitalizing on 31 of 42 free-throw attempts. Kahn went 13-16 at the charity stripe.

WNMU's 20 turnovers were detrimental, as DBU made the Mustangs suffer from 28 points off the turnovers. DBU also out rebounded WNMU in the second half, forcing more opportunities for the Patriots.

Keeping the Mustangs in the game was the ball movement and driving the ball into the paint. WNMU figured out the Patriots zone coverage and drove 30 points on DBU. Freshman Robert Banks (Duncanville, TX /Duncanville HS) was all over the court, netting a career high 11pts and six rebounds.

Mustangs to Highlight:
T. Avalos: 18pts (7-9; 3-4 3P), 1 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl
C. Williams: 17pts (7-14; 3-7 3P), 2 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl
R. Banks: 11pts (3-6), 5-6 FT, 6 reb (3 OREB, 3 DREB), 1 ast
N. Pelissier: 8pts (3-5), 4 reb
 

Continuing the road trip, WNMU goes to UT Tyler for a two-game series starting March 2nd, at 6:00pm MT/ 7:00pm CT.

 

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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).