ENMU pulls split at WT

CANYON, Texas — Daeshi McCants scored 20 points and Mikaehla Connor added 19 as Eastern New Mexico University’s women won beat West Texas A&M on the road for just the second time in 41 all-time tries on Saturday, handing the Lady Buffs a 72-67 Lone Star Conference loss.

ENMU (4-3, 2-0 LSC) converted 11-of-21 3-pointers in rallying from an early 11-point deficit to hand WT (6-2, 1-1) its first loss at home this season.

The Greyhounds got a baseline jumper from Jasmine Hotchkins as time expired in the third quarter to pull to 48-47, then hit a 3-pointer from the wing early in the final stanza to give them their first lead of the game.

After WT went up 52-50, McCants converted a 3-point play with just under eight minutes left. Connor hit a game-tying 3 and McCants scored to give the Hounds a 58-56 lead midway through the period.

Later, Connor hit another 3-pointer to put the Hounds in front for good 67-64 with 1:48 to go. Johna McClelland and Connor then hit two free throws each in the final 15 seconds to secure the win.

Junior guard Brandi Gomez of Clovis finished with a season-best 15 points for ENMU. Meantime, Sasha Watson led all scorers with 23 points for WT, while Alli Decker had 14 points and Madison Parker added 12.

In the men’s game, the Hounds erased most of a 19-point deficit with 11 minutes left only to come up short in a 92-86 loss to WT.

Guard David Chavlovich led six players in double figures for the Buffaloes (10-1, 2-0) with 22 points. ENMU (4-5, 0-2) was paced by 20 points from CoRnell Neal, 16 from Marquise Harris and 14 from Shawn Shelton.

ENMU squads return to Greyhound Arena to host LSC doubleheaders on Thursday against Texas A&M-Commerce and on Saturday against Tarleton State.