Hounds beat Javelinas, go to 2-0 in South

Freedom New Mexico

KINGSVILLE, Texas — Eastern New Mexico University’s men ended a 24-game Lone Star Conference losing streak on Wednesday.

On Saturday, they snapped a 12-game division losing streak, putting four players in double figures and leading for the final 13 minutes en route to a 72-62 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville.

Senior forward Equs Darby and junior guard Victor Reid each scored 13 points for the Greyhounds (7-9, 2-0 South), while junior forward Tyler Jefferson had 12 points and junior guard Tralyn Harden added 11.

Harden, filling in early when Reid and point guard Jimmie Marshall each drew two quick fouls, went 3-for-6 from 3-point range. He hit two early in the game to stake the Hounds to an 8-4 lead they never relinquished.

ENMU shot 47 percent from the field and hit 28-of-34 free throws. The Javelinas (10-7, 0-2), who came in shooting only 40 percent from the field and 29 percent from 3-point range, were held to 35 percent overall and 3-of-20 from long distance in losing their fifth game in a row.

“I was very happy with the way we guarded,” first-year ENMU coach Andrew Helton said. “You win a lot of games when you can guard people.

“We were ready to play today. We played with a lot of energy.”

It was the first loss at home this season for Kingsville (8-1), and ended a 13-game home winning streak dating to last season. ENMU notched its first win at Kingsville since a 99-95 overtime win on Feb. 27, 2003.

“We’re thrilled to be 2-0 (in the South) with a home win and a road win,” Helton said. “Our goal is to get to Bartlesville (Okla., for the LSC postseason tourney). That’s a long, long way off, but it’s a good start.”

Senior guard Royce Gaye scored 16 points off the bench for Kingsville before fouling out late, one of three Javs to be disqualified. Junior guard Antwan Mullins added 11 points.