THE RUNDOWN
No. 24-ranked DBU (15-6, 9-2 LSC) fell to No. 18-ranked Eastern New Mexico (16-3, 9-2 LSC) in a heartbreaking thriller on Thursday night in Portales. The Greyhounds sank a game-winning three as time expired to win 76-73, spoiling a Patriot comeback attempt while jumping to the top spot in the Lone Star Conference.
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Eastern New Mexico jumped to a 5-0 lead through the first two minutes of the game and would maintain that advantage for the vast majority of the night. DBU shot just 16.7% from three-point land in the first half while chasing the Greyhounds from behind. Despite the struggles from deep, the Patriots were able to shoot 75.0% on attempts inside the arc, keeping them within arm's reach of ENMU.
Justin Haire led the group with seven first-half points, as DBU went into the locker room trailing 39-32 at halftime.
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The Patriots would find more success shooting the three in the second half, as
Drew Calderon and
Trevor Frank both hit from deep inside the first two minutes after the break. Midway through the period, the Greyhounds went on a 9-0 run, building their lead up to 12 points. Trailing 61-49 with ten minutes left, DBU would break the dry spell, but ENMU immediately responded with a pair of buckets to build their lead to 14, their largest advantage of the night.
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Trailing by 14 with eight minutes left, the Patriots began to surge back, stacking together several mini runs to shrink the deficit late. Down 71-63,
Xavion Brown converted a layup before
Drew Calderon drilled a three to make it a three-point game for the first time in over ten minutes of game time. The Greyhounds would respond with a layup, making it 73-68.
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In the next possession,
TJ Thomas took the ball at the top of the key, made a move to the right, and briefly cut in before stepping back and drilling a momentous three-pointer from the right wing with 1:14 left. Over a minute later, Eastern New Mexico failed to capitalize on a chance to put the game away from the free throw line, allowing DBU a possession with time fleeting. Thinking they would hunt for a three, the Greyhound defense played aggressively, allowing
Xavion Brown to slip behind them for an easy layup, finally tying the game at 73 with three seconds remaining.
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Eastern New Mexico would call a timeout and inbound the ball to midcourt, at which point Cooper Jackson was found at the left wing, where he drilled a walk-off three to send their home crowd into a frenzy.
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THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
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Xavion Brown led all Patriots with 14 points on 7/11 shooting.
- For just the fourth time this season, DBU did not hold a lead entering halftime.
- The Patriots shot 53.8% from three-point land in the second half.
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INSIDE THE NUMBERS
98.25% - Eastern New Mexico led for 98.25% of tonight's contest (39:28/40:00).
8 -
Xavion Brown led everyone on the floor with eight assists tonight.
3 - For just the third time this season, the Patriots did not force 15 turnovers (12 tonight).
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COMING UP NEXT
DBU will take on West Texas A&M on the road Saturday afternoon. Tip-off in Canyon is scheduled for 3:00 pm.
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