SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University Men's Basketball team opened up their season with a home match up against Westminster College for the Conference Crossover with the RMAC. The Mustangs would defeat the Griffins in a thrilling 72-59 season opening win.

"Really good to start off the season," said Head Coach Zane Gibson. " You always want to win the first game of the year."

Three Mustangs finished in double figures against the Griffins. Tony Avalos (Las Cruces, NM/Onate HS) led the Mustangs with 16 points on 7-14 from the field. Joshuwan Johnson (Phoenix, AZ/Maricopa High School) added 14 points, including 4 of 7 from deep. DJ Heath (Anniston, AL/) score 11 points as well for the Mustangs.

The three ball and bench provided to be the X-Factor for the Mustangs. WNMU would 7-18 (38.9%) from three, compared to the Griffins 4-21 (19%). The Mustang bench would outscore the Griffins bench 30-11.

Both teams would struggle at the free throw line, with the Mustangs shooting a slightly better clip than the Griffins. WNMU would shoot 11-22 (50%) compared to the Griffins 9-20 (45%). The Mustangs managed to force the Griffins into 16 turnovers compared to eight from the Mustangs.

"I thought the guys really, really guarded well throughout the game," said Gibson.

On the glass Keith Littles (Augusta, GA/) and Isaiah Lewis (Mansfield, TX/) lead the Mustangs with six boards each. Littles also lead the Mustangs with four assists.

In the first half the Mustangs shot the ball at 52% and 27% from beyond the arc. WNMU would finish 46% from the field and 38.9% from three-point range. The Griffins would only manage to shoot 41% from the field and 19% from three.

WNMU went into halftime leading 39-28. After a 7-0 run by the Griffins to trim the Mustang led to four, the Mustangs would settle in. The Mustangs would play solid defense and run the offense to 59-48 advantage with seven to play. That would be enough to put the Griffins away.

"If we can have the energy that we had to start the game and move the ball the entire way 40 minutes then we have a chance to have a good basketball team," said Gibson.

Two Griffins managed to score double digits on the Mustangs. Trey Farrer led all scores with 18 points on 7-11 from the field. Farrer also added 10 rebounds to notch a double-double. Jeremey DowDell would add 14 points, including 6-12 shooting splits.

Top Players:
Tony Avalos (Las Cruces, NM/Onate HS): 16 pts 5 reb, (7-14 FGs)
Joshuwan Johnson (Phoenix, AZ/Maricopa High School): 14 pts, (4-7 3FGs)
DJ Heath (Anniston, AL/): 11 pts
Keith Littles (Augusta, GA/): 6 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast
Isaiah Lewis (Mansfield, TX/): 6 pts, 6 reb

The Mustangs will continue the Conference Crossover against the RMAC on November 12^th against Adams State (2:00 PM MT).

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, TikTok & Instagram).