Hound's rally falls short; Lady Buffs turn back Zias

CANYON, Texas — The road and slow starts continue to plague the Eastern New Mexico University men's basketball team.

The Greyhounds rallied from 20 points down early in the second half — and had a 3-point shot at the buzzer to tie it — before losing 71-68 to West Texas A&M on Wednesday in a Lone Star Conference men's basketball game.

Reggie Nelson scored a game-high 25 points for the Greyhounds (10-8, 3-6 LSC), who fell to 1-6 on the road this season. Devone Davis added 12 points for ENMU.

Donald Sims had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Kennon Washington added 17 points for WT (12-4, 6-3), which ended a three-game losing streak.

Nelson, who scored 20 points in the second half, started a 17-4 run that trimmed the Hounds' 45-40 midway through the second half. WT, which never trailed in the game, push the to seven points on five occasions before the Hounds made a final run inside of 30 seconds.

Davis converted a drive into a three-point play to pull ENMU within 70-68 with eight seconds left. After Sims hit a free throw one of two free throws, Davis' 3-point attempt hit the backboard and rim, before bouncing out.

It was a tale of two halves for the Greyhounds as far as shooting goes. ENMU shot 22 percent (6-of-27) from the field in the first half while falling behind 38-21. The Hounds improved heir shooting to 65 percent (17-of-26) in the second 20 minutes.

WT shot 55 percent (26-of-47) from the field for the game.

Women

WT 77, ENMU 45 — The Lady Buffs continued their domination in the series, winning for the 57th time in 65 games.

Kenisha Walker scored 26 points and Joni Unruh added 14 points, six assists and six steals as WT stampeded to a 20-4 lead and never looked back.

West Texas A&M (9-7, 7-3 LSC) shot 50 percent from the field and dominated the boards (47-31) to snap a three-game losing streak. The Buffs, who are tied for fourth in the LSC with Angelo State, also held the ENMU's leading scorer Precious Herrin scoreless.

Herrin, a 5-foot-10 senior, came into the game averaging a LSC best 18 points a game for the Zias, was 0-of-4 from the field in 16 minutes of action.

Karen Grant and Amber Williford led ENMU (4-12, 2-8) with seven points each of the bench.