SAN ANGELO, TEXAS – The Western New Mexico University Men's Basketball team traveled to Angelo State to try and avenge an earlier loss in the season to the Rams. The No.21 ranked Rams would take down the Mustangs 78-77 after the Rams would hit the go-ahead bucket with 4.5 second on the clock.
This puts the Mustangs at 11-9 (5-9).
Four Mustangs would manage double-figures on the Rams. Tony Avalos (Las Cruces, NM/Onate HS) led the way for the Mustangs with 17 points on 7-12 from the field. Isaiah Lewis (Mansfield, TX) contributed 14 points. Jaylin McFadden (Rockford, IL) added 11 points on 5-9 from the field. Amarion Cash (Phoenix, AZ/Mountain Pointe HS) chipped in 10 points including two 3s. Â
A slow start in the second half would be the Mustangs undoing. Going into the second half the Mustangs trailed by nine, but that quickly became 14. The Mustangs would be able to claw back into the game, eventually losing by one.
On the boards, Olamide Pedersen (Bronshoj, Denmark/Sunrise Christian Academy) led the way with nine rebounds. Cash and Keith Littles (Augusta, GA/) would both record three assists on the night.
In the defensive department, McFadden would be good for three steals on the night. Heath would record two steals. Pedersen blocked two shots on the night. This gives Pedersen 39 blocks on the season, ranking him 14th in the nation.
In the first half the WNMU would shoot 42% from the field and 50% from behind the arc. WNMU would finish the game shooting 48% from the field and 37% from three. Angelo State would shoot 53% for the game and 33% from behind the three-point line.
The first half began with the two teams trading the lead back-and-forth, with the Mustangs being able to lead by as many as seven points. Angelo State would fire back late in the first half to take a 46-37 advantage.
In the second half the Rams would jump out to a quick 14-point lead, before the Mustangs would settle in and chip away at the lead. With 23 seconds left in the game, the Mustangs would hit McFadden in the post to take the lead 77-76. The Rams' Kevon Godwin would come down on the next possession and hit a fade-a-way jumper over two Mustangs with 4.5 seconds left on the clock. With one chance left, Heath made it all the way to the rim, but his shot would not fall, giving the No. 21 Rams a 78-77 victory over the Mustangs.
Two Rams would manage double-digits on the Mustangs. Godwin would score a game-high 21 points on 8-10 shooting splits. Fredelin De La Cruz added 17 points and eight rebounds on 8-10 from the field.
Top Mustangs:
Tony Avalos (Las Cruces, NM/Onate HS): 17 pts, 4 rebs, (7-12 FGs)
Isaiah Lewis (Mansfield, TX): 14 pts, 4 rebs, (5-6 FTs)
Jaylin McFadden (Rockford, IL): 11 pts, 3 stls, (5-9 FGs)
Amarion Cash (Phoenix, AZ/Mountain Pointe HS): 10 pts, 2 3s
Olamide Pedersen (Bronshoj, Denmark/Sunrise Christian Academy): 8 pts, 9 rebs, 2 blks
Â
The Mustangs will hit Drag's Court for their next match up against Cameron on February 2nd (7:30PM MT).
This game recap is presented by First American Bank. First American Bank is a proud supporter of WNMU Athletics!
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).
