Cold-shooting Hounds fall to Buffs

CANYON, Texas — Eastern New Mexico University’s men missed their first 17 shots from the field over the opening 10 minutes and the Greyhounds were unable to dig themselves out of the hole in a 67-49 Lone Star Conference South Division men’s loss to West Texas A&M on Saturday.

The Buffaloes (12-10, 3-4 South) ended a four-gamelosing streak and avenged a 61-58 overtime loss to ENMU (8-13, 3-4) at Greyhound Arena on Wednesday night. The teams are tied again for fourth place in the division.

Guard LaDarius Hall led a balanced WT attack — five players in double figures with 13 points, while the Hounds got 12 points each from junior forward Tyler Jefferson and junior guard Tralyn Harden. Jefferson finished with a double-double, grabbing 11 rebounds, while the Buffs’ Bijan Dotson matched him with 12 points and 11 boards.

WT opened a 10-0 lead just over five minutes into the game before the Hounds got on the board on two free throws by Equs Darby. Their first field goal didn’t come until the 9:39 mark when Darby converted a layup to make it 16-5.

Trailing 32-18 at halftime and by 15 points early in the second half, ENMU to within five points twice midway through the second half. The Hounds were still within 53-47 when Jefferson converted a 3-point play with 4:49 left.

ENMU didn’t score again until Jefferson scored a pair of free throws at the 1:36 mark. The Hounds misfired on their final six shots from the field and finished the game at 21 percent (13-of-60).

The Hounds stayed within striking distance by converting 20-of-22 free throws, including 15-of-16 in the second half.

WT shot 43 percent from the field and went 23-of-35 from the free throw line.

ENMU returns to action on Wednesday with an 8 p.m. tipoff against Tarleton State in South play. The Texans beat the Hounds 76-36 on Jan. 20 at Stephenville, Texas.