Box Score SAN ANTONIO, TEX. – The Western New Mexico University Men's Basketball team opened up LSC play at St. Mary's University on Thursday December 1^st. The Rattlers would handle the visiting Mustangs, giving them their first loss of the season 73-65.

Two Mustangs managed to score in double-digits tonight. Tony Avalos (Las Cruces, NM/Onate HS) led the way with 12 points on 5-6 from the field before fouling out. Keith Littles (Augusta, GA/) added 11 points on 4-7 shooting splits.

Rebounding and the three-point shot proved to be the weakness of the Mustangs tonight. The Rattlers would outrebound the Mustangs 38-27. The Mustangs and Rattlers would both hit six three-pointers tonight, but the Rattlers did it at a much more efficient clip. Rattlers: 6-14 (43%), Mustangs: 6-22 (27%).

The Mustangs did manage to win in points in the paint 34-22.

On the glass Emmanuel White (Katy, TX/) led the way with five rebounds. Joshuwan Johnson (Phoenix, AZ/Maricopa High School) was the Mustangs' play-maker tonight with four assists. Johnson also managed two steals.

In the first half the Mustangs would a respectable 42% from the field, including 30% from behind the arc. WNMU would finish the game shooting 45% from the field and 27% from three. The Rattlers managed to shoot 43% from the field and 43% from three-point range.

WNMU went into halftime trailing the Rattlers 31-28. The Rattlers would manage to build the lead up to as big as 13 in the second half with four minutes to go. This would lead the Rattlers to outscore the Mustangs 42-37 in the second half, giving them a 73-65 victory.

Two Rattlers managed double figures tonight on the Mustangs. Caleb Jordan scored a game-high 19 points on 7-12 shooting. Tyler Caron chipped in 13 points, including three from beyond the arc. Emmanuel Ewuzie added 12 boards.

Top Mustangs:
Tony Avalos (Las Cruces, NM/Onate HS): 12 pts (5-6 FGs)
Keith Littles (Augusta, GA/): 11 pts (4-7 FGs)
Emmanuel White (Katy, TX/): 8 pts, 5 reb

The Mustangs will be back in action at St. Edward's University (4:00 PM MT) on Saturday Dec. 3^rd.

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).