EL PASO, Texas  – The Western New Mexico University Men's Basketball team played their final Division One exhibition against the Miners of UTEP. The Miners took care of the Mustangs 90-62.
 
This keeps the Mustangs at 2-5 (0-2).
 
Three Mustangs managed double-digits on the Miners. Donovan Black (Las Cruces, NM/Del Valle High School) lead the Mustangs with a season-high 12 points. Cortaviaus Seales (Rock Island, IL/North Scott High School) and Allen Fordham (Far Rockaway, NY/Queens High School For Technology) had 11 points each.
 
Bench points and points in the paint would be the kryptonite for the Mustangs tonight. The Miners doubled the Mustangs in the paint 44-22. As for bench points the Miners held a 41-25 advantage.

The Mustangs shot 10-34 (29%) from the field and 6-16 (37%) from deep in the first half. WNMU finished the game shooting 22-57 (38%) and 8-21 (38%) from three. The Miners would shoot 33-71 (46%) from the field and 10-29 (34%) from behind the arc for the game.
 
At the charity stripe the Mustangs went 14-18 (77%) and the Miners shot 10-16 (62%).

On the boards Black and Fordham secured a team-high six rebounds. LaMarqus Merchant Jr and Evan Butts (Houston, TX/Cy Fair High School) dished out three assists.

In the defensive department, Fordham recorded three steals. Black had one block.
 
The Mustangs began the first half going blow for blow with Miners. WNMU took theur final lead of the game, 11-10 with 14:30 left in the first half. The half ended in favor of the Miners 42-31.

In the second half the Miners really took control off the game, kicking things off with a 19-5 run. UTEP's lead grew by as many as 33 points in the second half. The Mustangs would fall 90-62.
 
Zid Powell scored a game-high 14 points for the Miners. Tae Hardy added 12 point and Otis Frazier III dropped a double-double on the Mustangs with 11-10.
 
Top Mustang:


Donovan Black (Las Cruces, NM/Del Valle High School): 14 pts (4-6 FGs), 5 rebs,
 
Cortaviaus Seales (Rock Island, IL/North Scott High School): 11 pts
 
Allen Fordham (Far Rockaway, NY/Queens High School For Technology): 11 pts, 5 rebs, 3 stls
 
The Mustangs will be in action next Saturday, December 7^th against #10 Dallas Baptist (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)