DURANGO, Colo. – The Western New Mexico University Men's Basketball team finished up the Skyhawk Classic with a rematch against the Grizzlies of Adams State. The Mustangs used a big second half to pull away from the Grizzlies 93-78.
 
"Today the energy of the entire team was just different," said Head Coach Mark Bunker. "Guys were locked in from last night on. They understood the importance of attention to details and it showed this afternoon. We are a work in progress and are going to continue to get better and stronger." 
 
Four Mustangs managed double-digits on the Grizzlies. Cortaviaus Seales (Rock Island, IL/North Scott High School) scored a season-high 34 points, going 9-9 from the charity stripe. Jordan Williams (Pensacola, FL/J. M. Tate High School) also dropped a season-high 17 points, including three from deep. Allen Fordham (Far Rockaway, NY/Queens High School For Technology) scored in double figures again with 16. Prosper Obidiebube (Houston, TX/Aspire Academy) added 10.

Three-point shooting and bench points would be where the Mustangs out shined the Grizzlies tonight. The Mustangs shot substantially better from deep at a 46% clip compared 15% from the Grizzlies. WNMU's bench out scored the Grizzlies 34-22, 17 from Williams. 

The Mustangs shot 18-30 (60%) from the field and 5-10 (50%) from deep in the first half. WNMU finished the game shooting 31-56 (55%) and 7-15 (46%) from three. The Grizzlies would shoot 24-60 (40%) from the field and 3-20 (15%) from behind the arc for the game.
 
At the charity stripe the Mustangs went 24-34 (70%) and the Grizzlies shot 27-36 (75%).
 
"Our guard play tonight with Tavi and Marqus was great," said Bunker. "We had a huge game from Jordan off the bench, and from top to bottom guys played hard and competed. That's all I can ask for and they delivered. I am very happy to get this first one and keep things rolling into next week and conference play."

On the boards LaMarqus Merchant Jr. (Utica, NY/Utica Academy of Science), James McCallum (Long Beach, CA./St. Bernard's High School) and Aaron Miller (Queens Village, NY/Benjamin Cardozo High School) snagged six rebounds each. Seales dished out four assists on the evening.

In the defensive department, four Mustangs had a steal. Fordham and Miller recorded a block each as well.

The Mustangs began the first half trading the lead with the Grizzlies, as there were 14 lead changes in the game. ASU mounted their biggest lead of the half, three points with 3:43 left in the half. From there Seales and Williams helped the Mustangs retake the lead, going into the half up four, 47-43.

In the second half the Grizzlies came out aggressively on an 11-2 run. The Mustangs settled in and tied the score up at 59 apiece. This jolted the Mustangs to go on a 26-9 run with under six to play. Free throws by Seales and Fordham would ice the game, 93-78 for the Mustangs first win of the season.

Four Skyhawks would manage double-digits on the Mustangs. Destan Williams scored 14 points for the Grizzlies. Austin Fadal and John Harge added 12 each. Cameron Kimble managed 10.

Top Mustangs:
 
Cortaviaus Seales (Rock Island, IL/North Scott High School):  34 pts (12-21 FGs), (9-9 FTs), 4 ast
 
Jordan Williams (Pensacola, FL/J. M. Tate High School): 17 pts (6-10 FGs), (3-5 3FGs), 
 
Allen Fordham (Far Rockaway, NY/Queens High School For Technology): 16pts (4-5 FGs) (7-8 FTs), 8 rebs
 
The Mustangs will be in action on Wednesday November 22^nd against in-state rival New Mexico Highlands in Las Vegas, N.M. (6:00 PM MT)

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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)