TYLER, Texas – The Western New Mexico University Men's Basketball team finished up their 2023 with a matchup against the Patriots of UT Tyler. The Mustangs would defeat the Patriots 65-50.
This puts the Mustangs at 3-6 (1-3).
"We are very pleased with the effort from top to bottom from our guys," said Head Coach
Mark Bunker. "After a tough opening to the week with UTEP and a very strong Dallas Baptist team, guys stayed motivated and locked in. We have a very resilient group that has only grown stronger and closer together with some of the early season adversity. Several guys stepped up and we did a great job defensively. Any time you go on the road, one of the main thing that travels should be your defense, so we are very motivated that we can win in different ways. Hopefully with the holiday break we can get back to full strength for the first time this season, so we are excited to see what this group can do in the Spring semester."
Two Mustangs managed double-digits on the Patriots.
Allen Fordham (Far Rockaway, NY/Queens High School For Technology) dropped a game-high 14 points, including four from deep.
Prosper Obidiebube (Houston, TX/Aspire Academy) added 13 points on an efficient 4-6 from the field.
Rebounding and a better shooting night would be the Mustangs' recipe for success. WNMU outrebounded UT Tyler 40-32.
The Mustangs shot 12-27 (44%) from the field and 4-11 (36%) from deep in the first half. WNMU finished the game shooting 23-52 (54%) and 8-22 (36%) from three. The Patriots would shoot 19-58 (32%) from the field and 4-22 (18%) from behind the arc for the game.
At the charity stripe the Mustangs went 11-19 (57%) and the Miners shot 8-11 (72%).
On the boards LaMarqus Merchant Jr grabbed 11 rebounds. Obidiebube added eight boards. Merchant Jr. was also the leading playmaker with five assists.
In the defensive department,
Cortaviaus Seales (Rock Island, IL/North Scott High School) recorded two steals. The freshman tandem of
James McCallum (Long Beach, CA./St. Bernard's High School) and
Donovan Black (Las Cruces, NM/Del Valle High School) recorded a block each for the Mustangs.
The Mustangs began the first half build a lead fast on the Patriots, leading by 11 at the halfway point. UT Tyler would slowly chip away at the lead, bringing the game within two. The half ended in favor of the Mustangs 32-27.
In the second half the Mustangs would quickly build a comfortable 12-point lead. WNMU would keep that 12-point lead throughout most of the second half. The Mustangs lead wire-to-wire in this one. Mustangs 65, Patriots 50.
Ryan Zambie managed 13 points on the Mustangs for the Patriots.
Top Mustangs:
Prosper Obidiebube (Houston, TX/Aspire Academy): 13 pts, (4-6 FGs), (2-2 3FGs), 8 rebs
Allen Fordham (Far Rockaway, NY/Queens High School For Technology): 14 pts, (5-10 FGs). (4-8 3FGs)
The Mustangs will be in action next year, January 4
th at Angelo State (6:30 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)
