THE RUNDOWN

The No. 12 ranked Patriots (19-3, 11-2) defeated the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds (12-7, 7-6) by a six-point margin Saturday afternoon at The Burg Center, increasing the Patriots' win streak to five games. Ricky Lujan posted a new personal season-high in points with 31, narrowly edging his previous season total of 30 (Western Oregon) and tying his career-high (1/21/21 vs. Cameron). Lujan's scoring efforts led the group, highlighted by five three-point bombs, which led everyone on the floor. Cameron Kahn's 21 points trailed only Lujan for the game lead.

One minute into this afternoon's duel, Jaden Shelvin drilled a three to give the Patriots a 5-2 lead. DBU would then relinquish their lead and soon found themselves chasing the Greyhounds for most of the first frame. Seven of the Patriots' first ten shot attempts were from beyond three-point land, and they weren't falling as they had in previous contests. DBU opened the game 3-10 from the field, while the Greyhounds shot 5-10; only attempting two three-pointers, and getting to the line early. The Patriots would work their way back to knot the game up at 30 with seven minutes left in the first frame. 

Ricky Lujan played the sparkplug role this afternoon, sinking his first five shot attempts and getting the rest of his troops rolling shortly after. DBU would end the first half with a 14-point lead after trailing by six. At the end of the period, the Patriots held the edge in rebounds (15-13), forced turnovers (12-11), and second-chance points (9-3). ENMU entered the contest boasting high marks in each of the previous categories but was outplayed by DBU in each through 20 minutes.

The cat-and-mouse game from the first half would flip itself in the second, as the Greyhounds scratched and clawed their way back into this contest after trailing by as much as 16. ENMU found themselves trailing by nine with six minutes remaining and trimmed it down to two with 2:09 flashing on the game clock. The Greyhounds found timely perimeter shooting and could get inside the Patriot defense for high-percentage looks during their comeback bid. 

With an 83-81 lead and less than a minute remaining, Jaden Shelvin would force a jump ball which gave the Patriots possession. DBU would drain half of the game clock before Ricky Lujan iced the game with a layup. The Patriots will look to continue their active winning streak with two more home games due up on the schedule. 

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

- Ricky Lujan sits 22 points away from passing Jordan McGowan (2012) for second all-time in program history.

- Cameron Kahn sits 42 points removed from 2,000 across his illustrious career.

- ENMU entered today's game averaging 91.8 PPG (10th in the nation). The Patriots defense held them to 81.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

52 - Cameron Kahn and Ricky Lujan combined for 52 total points.

83% - Ricky Lujan shot 5-6 from three-point land this afternoon.

6 - Xavion Brown led everyone on the floor with six stocks (steals+blocks).

POSTGAME INTERVIEW 

COMING UP NEXT

Patriot Hoops will continue its four-game home stretch with a game against Oklahoma Christian (6-11, 3-9) on Thursday, January 30.