Hounds limp past 2003 national champs

PORTALES — Jamaal Hunnicutt had a much bigger concern than scoring his 1,000th career point with the Greyhounds. He had four fouls, and was one foul away from leaving a game where his team needed him the most.

“With Edmound (Elzy) fouled out and Irshaun (Pinckney) gone (with an ankle injury), we only had one experienced big man,” Hunnicutt said. “(Shooting guard) Jason (Breland) had to go play big man, so it was a struggle.”

Hunnicutt survived, though, and his two late free throws helped Eastern New Mexico University follow suit with a 65-62 win over Northeastern State in a Lone Star Conference men’s crossover game Saturday at Greyhound Arena.

Hunnicutt led the Hounds (6-7) with 18 points and 11 rebounds in just 26 minutes, pushing him to 1,002 career points and helping his team hold off a challenge from the Redmen (4-9), who were blown out Thursday at West Texas A&M.

“This was a bad situation to be in,” Greyhounds coach Shawn Scanlan said. “I know the caliber of coach Larry (Gipson of NSU) is and the success that they’ve had. They didn’t play well (at WT) and I knew they’d play better.

“I think Northeastern’s effort was tremendous tonight, and I’m not surprised.”

The Redmen, NCAA Division II national champions in 2003, trailed by seven early in the first half, but had the lead at halftime thanks to a 15-2 run keyed by Shiloh Shores (19 points, 11 rebounds) and Rob Powell (15 points). Powell’s 3-pointer with 2:31 to go in the first half gave NSU a 30-23 lead, which Eastern cut to 30-27 at the half.

The Greyhounds fought their way back with a 10-2 second-half run, taking a 48-47 lead on a 3-pointer by Breland with 8:48 to go.

The teams traded baskets for the next six minutes, but the Greyhounds took the lead for good with long jumpers from Billy Austin and Breland for a 58-54 advantage.

The Redmen stayed close, but missed an opportunity to tie the game with 22 seconds to go as Shores overshot a point-blank jumper.

“I know we missed at least six layups,” Gipson said. “I know we missed two layups (during times) when they took the lead in transition.

“I think Shawn’s kids ... they know how to win. They made the necessary plays.”

Scanlan said that several of NSU’s losses have come by three points or less and, as was the case on Saturday, one shot could have been the difference.

The Redmen had a chance to send the game to overtime when Breland missed a pair of free throws with 3.9 seconds to play, but Josh Talley was called for traveling before he could get off a desperation 3-point attempt.

Scanlan said he wouldn’t be surprised to see the Redmen again in the conference tournament despite their early record.

“It was a good win over a good team,” Scanlan said. “They’ll be in the middle of it in the North — I don’t care what anybody says.”