Western New Mexico University Athletics

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Western New Mexico University Men's Basketball team finished up the Conference Crossover with the RMAC, as the Mustangs took on Adams State. The Mustangs would fall, 78-73 to the Grizzlies.

Three Mustangs would manage double figures on the Grizzlies. LaMarqus Merchant Jr. (Utica, NY/Utica Academy of Science) became an offensive weapon tonight, leading all scorers with 24 points, including 12-16 from the charity stripe. Allen Fordham (Far Rockaway, NY/Queens High School For Technology) recorded 14 points on 4-7 shooting splits and 2-3 from deep. Khalifah Muhammad (East St. Louis, IL/Belle Ville High School East) added 11.

Points in the paint where the Grizzlies held a sharp advantage on the Mustangs. Adams State outscored the Mustangs 46-32 in the paint.

On the boards Prosper Obidiebube (Houston, TX/Aspire Academy) led the way with eight boards. Merchant Jr. dished out six assists.

In the defensive department, Evan Butts (Houston, TX/Cy Fair High School) picked the pocket of two Grizzlies. Donovan Black (Las Cruces, NM/Del Valle High School) was a force at the rim with two blocks.

In the first half the WNMU would shoot 38% from the field and 33% from behind the arc. WNMU would finish the game shooting 39% from the field and 33% from three. Westminster would shoot 46% for the game and 24% from behind the three-point line.

The Grizzlies would prevent the Mustangs from leading at any point during the first half. ASU would build their lead to as many as nine-points. As the clock ticked down towards halftime, timely FTs and a shot in the paint by Merchant Jr. tied the game up at 34.

In the second half the Mustangs took their first lead of the game thanks to a three from Nik Atanasovs (Riga, Latvia/Vidusskloa). After trading the lead with the Mustangs early on in the second half, the Grizzlies would be able to extend their lead to 13 points, 66-53, with just six minutes to play. WNMU would give one last effort and trim the lead to two points, but would fall, 78-73.

Three Grizzlies would manage double-digits on the Mustangs. Destan Williams dropped 17 points on 5-6 from the field. Austin Fadal added 15 points and Luke Williams contributed 11.

Top Mustangs:
 
LaMarqus Merchant Jr. (Utica, NY/Utica Academy of Science): 24 pts, (6-12 FG), (12-16 FTs), 6 asts
 
Allen Fordham (Far Rockaway, NY/Queens High School For Technology): 14 pts (4-7 FG) 3 rebs
 
The Mustangs will be back in action next Friday , Nov.17^th for the Skyhawk Classic in Durango, Colo.