SAN ANGELO, Texas – The Western New Mexico University Men's Basketball team kicked off their 2024 with a trip to Angelo State for a LSC matchup with the 11^th ranked Rams. The Mustangs fell 77-62.
 
This puts the Mustangs at 3-7 (1-4).
 
Two Mustangs managed double-digits on the Rams. Cortaviaus Seales (Rock Island, IL/North Scott High School) was on a tear from deep with four triples, en route to 21 points. Donovan Black (Las Cruces, NM/Del Valle High School) added 12. 
 
Points in the paints and fast break points are where the Rams held the advantage on the Mustangs. ASU outscored WNMU 38-26 in the paint and 19-9 on the break. 
 
The Mustangs shot 12-32 (37%) from the field and 5-12 (41%) from deep in the first half. WNMU finished the game shooting 24-67 (35%) and 6-22 (27%) from three. The Rams would shoot 27-68 (39%) from the field and 8-28 (28%) from behind the arc for the game.
 
At the charity stripe the Mustangs went 10-14 (71%) and the Rams shot 15-19 (78%).

On the boards, in his first action as a Mustang Tanner Vogel (Stratham, Australia/Georgiana Molloy Anglican School) lead the way with nine boards. LaMarqus Merchant Jr grabbed eight rebounds as well. Seales was the leading playmaker with three assists.

In the defensive department, Allen Fordham (Far Rockaway, NY/Queens High School For Technology) came away with a steal. Prosper Obidiebube (Houston, TX/Aspire Academy) added one block.
 
The Mustangs began the first half building up their lead fast, 20-9 over the 11^th ranked Rams, thanks to a triple from Seales. ASU would take the entire first half, slowly chipping away at the lead, eventually tying things up at 33 going into the break.

In the second half the Rams wasted no time building up their lead to 10 points. The Mustangs responded with a 6-0 run of their own, stay at a four-to-six-point stalemate. With five left to play, the ASU lead would rise up to 13. The Mustangs would lose the battle 77-62.
 
Kevon Godwin dropped 17 points on the Mustangs for the Rams. Keyshawn Embrey-Simpson and Trey Farrer added 15 and 12 points each respectively. 
 
Top Mustangs:

Cortaviaus Seales (Rock Island, IL/North Scott High School): 21 pts, (4-6 3FGs)
 
Donovan Black (Las Cruces, NM/Del Valle High School): 12 pts, (6-9 FGs), 7 rebs
 
The Mustangs will be back in action January 6^th at UTPB (2:00 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)