SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University Men's Basketball team welcomed the 2^nd ranked team in the nation, West Texas A&M to Drag's Court Thursday night. The Buffs handed the Mustangs their 5^thstraight loss.
 
This puts the Mustangs at 3-11 (1-8).
 
Four Mustangs managed double-digits on the Buffs in the 73-point effort. James McCallum (Long Beach, CA./St. Bernard's High School) lead the way with a career-high 14 points on a perfect 5-5 from the field. Prosper Obidiebube (Houston, TX/Aspire Academy) added 13 points. LaMarqus Merchant Jr. (Utica, NY/Utica Academy of Science) scored 12 and Cortaviaus Seales (Rock Island, IL/North Scott High School) contributed 11.
 
Rebounding and points in the paint helped the Buffs defeat the Mustangs. WNMU lost the battle of the boards 38-23, leading to 18 second chance points for the Buffs. The Mustangs would be outscored in the paint 52-34.
 
Mustangs shot 14-28 (50%) from the field and 1-5 (20%) from deep in the first half. WNMU finished the game shooting 25-52 (48%) and 3-13 (23%) from three. West Texas would shoot 40-70 (57%) from the field and 12-34 (35%) from behind the arc for the game.
 
At the charity stripe WNMU went 20-28 (71%) and WT shot 11-21 (52%).

On the boards, Obidiebube and Tanner Vogel (Stratham, Australia/Georgiana Molloy Anglican School) had five rebounds each. Merchant Jr. dished out four assists. 

In the defensive department, Seales and Evan Butts (Houston, TX/Cy Fair High School) were both good for a steal. Three Mustangs had a block.
 
The Mustangs began the first half keeping pace with the 2^nd ranked Buffs. WNMU only trailed by two at the midway point in the first half. From that point the Buffs ended the first half outscoring the Mustangs 33-20 for a 53-38 halftime lead.

In the second half the Mustangs pulled within 12 points before the Buffs got hot and they would get hot quickly. West Texas would lead by as many as 38 points before putting down the Mustangs 103-73.
 
Larry Wise scored a game-high 23 points, all in the first half for the Buffs. Kieran Elliot added 17 points
 
Top Mustangs:


James McCallum (Long Beach, CA./St. Bernard's High School): 14 pts (5-5FGs)
 
Prosper Obidiebube (Houston, TX/Aspire Academy): 12 pts
 
The Mustangs will be back in action January 20^th at Drag's Court vs Lubbock Christian (2:00 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)