PORTALES, NM: The 19th ranked Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (10-2) fell by a final score of 80-70 in an exhibition contest at NCAA Division II Eastern New Mexico University (5-8) on Saturday.
After the Greyhounds jumped out to a 15-9 lead, the Rams ripped off 8-straight points to snare a 17-15 advantage midway through the first half. The Rams led as late as 26-24 with 5:30 on the clock after a pair of free throws form
Shaun Rost, but ENMU went on an 18-7 run to open a 9-point margin (42-33) in the final minute of the period.
Just when it looked like the game might get away from the Rams,
Naiel Smith took matters into his own hands in the final 25 ticks of the clock. Smith converted two free throws, grabbed two steals, scored a layup, and assisted a buzzer-beater from
Trevon Jeffery in those final seconds, and the Rams trailed only 42-39 at the break.
Eastern New Mexico got superb play from its bench, and the Greyhounds used that depth to maintain a double-figure advantage for much of the second half. However, the Rams made one final push. Trailing 69-58, a steal and layup from
Ryan Harris sparked a 6-0 run that made it a two-possession game at 69-64 with three minutes to play.
ENMU later ended the game, scoring the final four points to take the 80-70 win.
ENMU outshot Texas Wesleyan 49%-40% from the field. ENMU also hit 7-of-18 long range shots (39%) while the Rams hit just 5-of-23 (22%). The Rams outran the Greyhounds 28-6 on the fast break, led 20-15 in points off of turnovers and 34-32 in the paint. ENMU's bench poured in 42 to points while the TXWES reserves finished with 22 points.
Dion Rogers led the Rams with 14 points, while
Ryan Harris contributed 11 points off the bench.
Naiel Smith and
Najeal Young each scored 10 points.
ENMU's Lamarquis Thompson came off the bench to score a game-high 20 points while grabbing eight rebounds.
The Rams will return to action on New Year's Eve when they host Bethel College (KS). Ram fans can begin their New Year's Eve festivities with a 2:00 p.m. tip-off in the Sid Richardson Center.
Ramblings
- Eastern New Mexico had taken two-of-three non-exhibition meetings between the two programs.
- The Rams have never faced Bethel College before.
