Utilizing bench points and points off turnovers, the Western New Mexico University men's basketball team stayed right with Regis University when the Rangers were able to break away late for the 62-54 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Friday night.
WNMU (0-15, 0-10 RMAC) held a 15-5 edge on points off turnovers and 20-9 on bench points to stay close throughout the contest.
Although Regis (7-9, 5-5 RMAC) led a majority of the game, their biggest lead of 10 didn't occur until the final minutes. The lead usually stayed within five points most of the way as the teams tied twice and had seven lead changes.
The Mustangs for the most part kept Regis' three-point shooting in check as the Rangers were just 9-23 (39) from deep and their top outside shooter, Jarrett Brodbeck was just 2-7 from deep and held to nine points having averaged nearly 16 a game coming in.
WNMU had their second lead of the game six minutes in when Jordan Enriquez (El Paso, TX/Bel Air ) drilled a three-pointer for the 10-9 advantage. The teams then began exchanging leads with the Rangers controlling the next several minutes before Brandon Williams (Long Beach, CA/Los Angeles Prep) hit his own three at the 9:18 mark to boost the Mustangs back in front at 16-15.
Regis posted the next basket and held the lead the remainder of the half taking a 27-23 lead into the locker rooms.
The Rangers began the second stanza with a three-point-play to jump the lead to seven, just to watch WNMU counter with a strong 8-2 run over the next two minutes to get back to within a point. Steven Loucks (Yuma, AZ/Cibola) jump started the run and then back-to-back threes by Adam Kesler (Silver City, NM/Silver) and Willie McCray (Clovis, NM/Clovis/Westwind Prep Academy ) left the Rangers with the 32-31 lead.
McCray stepped back and hit on another three-pointer a few minutes later to push the Mustangs back in front, 36-34.
The Rangers responded going on a 9-0 run over the next two-plus minutes to erase the deficit and move in front, 43-36, near the midway point of the half.
The Mustangs had one last charge left in them as Williams hit a jumper and later a corner three by Brandon Tanter(Long Beach, CA/Los Angeles Prep) left the deficit at just two, 48-46, with 6:15 to play.
Regis, again just like earlier in the contest, had an answer and a quick 5-0 run helped push them in the lead the rest of the way for the victory.
McCray led the way with 12 points, while Kesler reached double-figures going for 10. Carter Aby (San Tan Valley, AZ/Combs) was active on the glass grabbing a game-high 10 rebounds, with three coming on the offensive end.
Billy Hansen connected on four three-pointers and led Regis with 15 points. Dexter Sienko added 14 and Ryan Beisty posted 10.
Regis made 20-49 (41) from the field and added 13-18 (72) at the foul line. WNMU struggled from the field hitting on just 15-52 (29) and went 7-24 (29) from three. They went 17-20 (85) at the foul line.
WNMU finishes the weekend tomorrow night when they host Chadron State College beginning at 7:30 p.m. The Eagles fell to New Mexico Highlands, 93-80, earlier tonight