Box Score DURANGO, Colo. – The Western New Mexico University Men's Basketball team hit the road again for the Skyhawk Classic hosted by the 15
th ranked Skyhawks of Fort Lewis College. The Skyhawks would take care of the Mustangs 87-68.
Defending the paint and ball security would be the Mustangs kryptonite. 40 of the Skyhawks 87 points would come in the paint tonight, compared to 18 from the Mustangs. Fort Lewis also managed to generate 25 points off of 23 Mustang turnovers. WNMU only forced 13 turnovers on the Skyhawks, scoring one-point.
The Mustangs shot 12-36 (33%) from the field and 6-17 (35%) from deep in the first half. WNMU finished the game shooting 21-58 (36%) and 9-28 (32%) from three. The Skyhawks would shoot 30-59 (50%) from the field and 7-20 (35%) from behind the arc for the game.
At the charity stripe the Mustangs went 17-22 (77%) and the Skyhawks shot 20-25 (80%).
On the boards Fordham led the way with eight rebounds.
Prosper Obidiebube (Houston, TX/Aspire Academy) added seven boards as well.
LaMarqus Merchant Jr. (Utica, NY/Utica Academy of Science) and
Aaron Miller (Queens Village, NY/Benjamin Cardozo High School) dished out four assists each.
In the defensive department, Merchant Jr. recorded four steals.
The Mustangs began the first half flat against the Skyhawks, as they quickly fell down 10 points by the 14 minute mark. FLC's lead would grow to 15 before the Mustangs began to settling in. At the five minute mark 3s by
James McCallum (Long Beach, CA./St. Bernard's High School), Fordham, Merchant Jr. and Butts brought the Mustangs within three points. The Mustangs ended the half trailing 44-38.
In the second half the Mustangs could not close the gap to closer than seven points. WNMU made one final push with nine minutes to play, trimming the lead to 12 points, but it would not be enough. The 15
th ranked Skyhawks closed outscored the Mustangs in the second half 43-30 to give them an 87-68 win.
Two Skyhawks would manage double-digits on the Mustangs. Obi Agbim scored a game-high 18 points, with seven boards and five steals. Brayden Carter added 12 points.
Top Mustangs:
Evan Butts (Houston, TX/Cy Fair High School): 15 pts (4-9 FGs), (5-5 FTs)
Allen Fordham (Far Rockaway, NY/Queens High School For Technology): 13 pts (4-9 FGs) (3-5 3FGs), 8 rebs
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, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok & Instagram)
