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Buffs Hold On To Stop The Greyhounds, 81-78, Monday
Feb. 21, 2005
PORTALES, N.M. --- The West Texas A&M University men's basketball team held on for an 81-78 win over Eastern New Mexico University Monday night in a Lone Star Conference South Division clash at ENMU's Greyhound Arena. The win clinches a berth in the LSC Tournament for the Buffs and was their first win over ENMU in three years, but it was on the same court that the Buffs won the 2003 LSC Tournament title.
It was WTAMU's first season sweep over ENMU since the 2000-01 season and improve to 49-13 in the all-time series history. The Buffs improve to 13-13 overall and 7-4 in the LSC South and can finish anywhere from second to fourth in the division, entering the final weekend of the season. WTAMU ends the regular season at home on Thursday, Feb. 24 against Texas A&M University-Kingsville at 8 p.m.
ENMU lost for the ninth time in the last 11 games, falling to 9-17 overall and 2-9 in LSC South play.
The Buffs' four seniors all had major contributions in their final regular season road game of the year, led by senior forward Carlos Silva who posted a career-high with 25 points, including 18 in the second half, along with a game-high three blocks. Senior guard Carl Lamb tallied 11 points, while senior forward Jamil Terrell was one of three players with eight points to go with his team-high 11 rebounds. Senior forward Richard Higginbotham also tallied eight points to go with tying a career-high five assists.
ENMU was led by Jamaal Hunnicutt, an Amarillo, Texas, native, with a career-high 30 points, and registered a double-double with a game-high 13 rebounds. Jolen Montoya netted 14 points, while Irshaun Pinckney chipped in with 13 points.
WTAMU shot 53.6 percent (30-of-56) from the field for the game, including a blistering 63.0 percent (17-of-27) in the second half. The Buffs were also 5-of-15 (33.3 percent) from 3-point land and 59.3 percent (16-of-27) from the free throw line.
ENMU was 28-of-51 (54.9 percent) from the field, including 4-of-12 (33.3 percent) 3-point shooting and were 18-of-24 (75.0 percent) from the charity stripe.
The Greyhounds committed 20 turnovers, compared to 19 for the Buffs, who matched that with 19 assists.
Trailing 11-9, WTAMU went on an 8-0 run, capped by a free throw from junior guard Ronnie Holmes, after a technical was issued on the ENMU bench, to take a 17-11 lead with 13:51 left in the half and later went up 19-13. The Greyhounds charged back with an 11-0 run to take a 24-19 lead.
The Buffs took a 27-25 lead at the 6:09 mark after a 3-pointer from senior forward Richard Higginbotham from the top of the key, but that would be WTAMU's last lead of the half, as ENMU took a 37-34 lead into halftime.
The Buffs battled back to tie the score at 44-all after a lay-in from Terrell and later went up 55-49 at 11:43 on a trey from the right wing by Lamb. Just over a minute later, Lamb hit a runner in the lane to give WTAMU a 59-51 lead at the 10:30 mark for the Buffs' largest lead of the game at that point.
After the Greyhounds closed the gap to 59-55 with 9:26 left to play, the Buffs regained control on three-straight points from Lamb and then back-to-back buckets by Silva to put WTAMU ahead, 66-55 at the 5:05 mark.
The Buffs couldn't quite put the Greyhounds away, as ENMU forced some back-court turnovers and closed to 77-74 with 55.2 seconds left, but the Buffs held on for the win. Montoya hit a shot from just inside half court for the final margin.
The Lady Buffs and Buffs return home to host Texas A&M University-Kingsville on Thursday, Feb. 24 in the final LSC doubleheader of the season, with the women tipping off at 6 p.m., followed by the mens' contest at 8 p.m. It will be Senior Night, as the Buffs will recognize their four seniors: forwards Jason Campbell, Carlos Silva and Jamil Terrell, along with guard Carl Lamb.
The WTAMU women conclude regular season action by hosting Texas Woman's University on Saturday, Feb. 26. The world renowned slam dunk acrobatic group "The Extreme Team" will be performing at halftime.
Contact the WTAMU Athletics Ticket Office at 806-651-4424 for ticket information.
Fans can tune into WTAMU Basketball action on the Buffalo Sports Network on KGNC 710 AM or streamed on the internet at www.gobuffsgo.com.
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