SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University Men's Basketball team finished up their final home game of 2023 with a matchup against St. Edwards. The Hilltoppers topped the Mustangs 86-65.
This puts the Mustangs at 2-5 (0-2).
Two Mustangs managed double-digits on the Hilltoppers.
Prosper Obidiebube (Houston, TX/Aspire Academy) scored a season-high 21 points.
LaMarqus Merchant Jr. (Utica, NY/Utica Academy of Science) added 10.
Bench points would be where the Hilltoppers held and advantage on the Mustangs, 26-17.
The Mustangs shot 12-36 (33%) from the field and 3-14 (21%) from deep in the first half. WNMU finished the game shooting 22-65 (34%) and 5-23 (21%) from three. The Hilltoppers would shoot 27-62 (43%) from the field and 9-29 (31%) from behind the arc for the game.
At the charity stripe the Mustangs went 16-20 (80%) and the Hilltoppers shot 23-26 (88%).
On the boards
Donovan Black (Las Cruces, NM/Del Valle High School) secured a team-high seven rebounds.
Aaron Miller (Queens Village, NY/Benjamin Cardozo High School) added six boards. Merchant Jr. dished out five assists.
In the defensive department, Obidiebube recorded two steals.
Jordan Williams (Pensacola, FL/J. M. Tate High School) and Black had one block each.
The Mustangs began the first half with the Mustangs trailing by 10 at the midway point of the first half. The Hilltoppers would see their lead grow by as many as 20 points. The half ended 49-35 in favor of the Mustangs.
In the second half the Hilltoppers really took control of the game, leading by as many as 24 points. WNMU would trim the lead to 14 with 1:17 left to play. The Mustangs would fall 86-65.
Sean Elkinton lead the Hilltoppers with 18 points. Gavino Ramos added 17 points and three steals.
Top Mustang:
Prosper Obidiebube (Houston, TX/Aspire Academy): 21 pts (8-14 FGs), 5 rebs, 2 stls
The Mustangs will be in action next Monday, December 4th (7:00 PM MT).
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)
