Hounds begin season with Tarleton State tourney

Eastern New Mexico University’s men open the 2011-12 basketball season under third-year coach Andrew Helton with exhibition games at New Mexico State on Nov. 2 and at Texas-El Paso the following night.

The Greyhounds, who went 13-14 last season and qualified for the Lone Star Conference postseason tournament for the first time since 2006, open the regular campaign Nov. 11-12 in a four-team classic hosted by Tarleton State at Stephenville, Texas. The home opener is Nov. 15 against Oklahoma Panhandle State.

The Hounds begin their 18-game, double-round-robin LSC schedule on Dec. 1 at Texas A&M-Kingsville. The schedule also includes a league doubleheader with the women against Angelo State at Clovis High’s Rock Staubus Gym on Dec. 15, and a trip to Division I Long Beach State on Dec. 19 in their final game before the holiday break.

ENMU’s women play their first two games at home — Nov. 12 against Fort Lewis and Nov. 15 against Oklahoma Panhandle State. The Zias, coached by Lindsey Wilson, have a 20-game LSC schedule and play the first three on the road — Dec. 1 at Kingsville, Dec. 3 at Incarnate Word and Dec. 7 at Texas Woman’s.

The Zias, 5-21 a year ago under Linden Weese, also have a Division I matchup on the schedule. They play at New Mexico on Nov. 22.