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PORTALES — The Eastern New Mexico men’s basketball team had quite a week, especially considering it was technically over for them on Wednesday night.
The Greyhounds concluded the regular season Tuesday at West Texas A&M, bussed to Phoenix and took on Division I Grand Canyon University in a Wednesday exhibition.
Eastern fell to the Buffs 92-79 in its regular season finale, ending any possibility the Greyhounds (13-13, 10-8) could finish higher than fourth place in the final Lone Star Conference standings.
The finish was still the highest the men’s squad has attained in the LSC regular season since the Shawn Scanlan-led Hounds won the LSC South in 2004.
ENMU third-year coach Tres Segler said the goal was to win the LSC, but getting the fourth seed after the rollercoaster season is still a big deal in his mind.
“We’re not satisfied, but we’re happy with where we’ve got so far,” Segler said Friday.
About 24 hours after facing WT, the Greyhounds stayed with the Antelopes early, then were outscored 52-29 in the second half of a 95-64 game that didn’t go in the final record.
And about 24 hours after that, Tarleton State defeated Western New Mexico to wrap up the LSC’s fifth seed. The Greyhounds will face the Texans in a 7:30 p.m. March 7 first-round game at Comerica Center (formerly Dr Pepper Arena) in Frisco, Texas. The winner will play either No. 1 West Texas A&M or No. 8 Cameron ina 1:30 p.m. Saturday semifinal.
The LSC men’s title game is set for noon Sunday.
The only seeds still to be determined entering Saturday’s slate of games were the second and third seeds to be taken by Angelo State and Texas A&M-Commerce. The final three seeds are Texas A&M-Kingsville, Texas Permian Basin and Cameron.
Against WT: The Buffs, in a game televised on ESPN3 as its Division II basketball showcase, showed why they’re ranked No. 4 in the nation, as freshman Qua Grant scored 29 and still had four teammates in double figures.
“Qua had a great game,” Segler said of the 11-of-18 effort with four steals. “He played well, and he’s a great player. To be that powerful as a freshman is impressive.”
Ryan Quaid added 15, Joel Murray 13, Brandon Hall 12 and Gach Gach 11 for the Buffs (28-3, 17-1), who had wrapped up the LSC’s top seed the previous weekend.
“I think the last four or five years,” said Segler, an assistant with Midwestern State before taking over at ENMU, “that seems to be the MO. It’s not one guy who can do it; it’s four or five.”
Zach Parker had 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting to lead three Greyhounds in double figures. Parker did most of his damage from the 3-point line, going 6-of-12. Maurice Coleman and Nick Brown each had 12 points for the Greyhounds.
Against Grand Canyon: The game against the Antelopes was what is known as a “guarantee game,” where the visiting team is guaranteed some payout and the home team has an opponent it should be able to beat handily in front of the home crowd. Segler and predecessors have always said the amounts weren’t eye-popping amounts, but do help the overall team budget.
Segler said the atmosphere at GCU was electric, and just as good as games he’s been to at Kansas and Oklahoma State, and that can only help the Greyhounds during tournament time — along with just facing a solid Division-I team.
“Grand Canyon’s got two starting forwards who are 6-10, 245,” Segler said, “and now you come back and you play Qua Grant at 6-6 and he doesn’t seem quite as big.”
Against Tarleton State: The Greyhounds swept the regular season series for the first time since the 1995-96 season, winning both games by 70-68 counts.
“They’re going to run their zone, and you’ve got to be able to shoot it and score from different places on the floor,” Segler said. “We’ve got to get in the paint, grind on them and make high-percentage shots. They’re a great program, and you’ve got to check your boxes.”