West Texas A&M guard Qua Grant (2) dribbles up the floor during Saturday’s Lone Star Conference matchup against Eastern New Mexico at Greyhounds Arena in Portales, N.M. [Anna Mills/ ENMU Athletics]
Buffs hold off Greyhounds for key road win
The No. 5-ranked West Texas A&M Buffs survived a late rally from Eastern New Mexico to come away with a 76-71 victory in a Lone Star Conference clash on Saturday afternoon at Greyhounds arena in Portales, N.M.
The Buffs, who were playing their first game off a 14-day Christmas break, saw a 14-point halftime lead dissipate thanks to an ENMU second half charge. The Greyhounds tied the game, 68-68, on pair of Deng Kuany free-throws with 2:29 to play.
WT quickly regained the momentum thanks to sophomore guard Joel Murray, who knocked down a jumper, followed by a 3-pointer on the ensuing Buff possessions to open up a 73-68 advantage they’d never relinquish.
The Buffs defense was stout most of the game forcing 11 steals, and 13 turnovers, scoring 27 points off the Greyhound miscues.
Sophomore guard Qua Grant led WT with 27 points (9 of 16 from the field), scoring 13 of those during a 21-4 run to close out the first half. Murray added 22 points, while Derrick Gettis poured in 14.
WT sweeps the season series from ENMU, improving to 13-1 overall and 5-1 in the Lone Star Conference. The Greyhounds fall to 3-8, 3-3.
The Buffs travel to UT Permian Basin for an LSC matchup Thursday night.
West Texas A&M 46 30 — 76
E. New Mexico 32 39 — 71
WT— Qua Grant 27, Joel Murray 22, Derrick Gettis 14. ENMU— Jose Serrano 16, Devin Pullum 10. Records: WT 13-1, 5-1; ENMU 3-8, 3-3.
Lady Buffs handle Greyhounds
West Texas A&M post player Tiana Parker (20) looks to pass during a Lone Star Conference road contest against Eastern New Mexico at Greyhounds Arena on Saturday. [Anna Mills/ ENMU Athletics]
West Texas A&M didn’t show any rust from a 14-day layoff, picking up a key 58-51 road win to sweep the season series from conference rival Eastern New Mexico on Saturday at Greyhounds Arena in Portales.
The Lady Buffs are now 5-1 in the Lone Star Conference and 12-3 overall. ENMU drops to 9-3 overall and 3-3 in the LSC.
The Lady Buffs opened the game up in the first half taking a commanding 33-18 lead into the break.
Junior post Abby Spurgin was a matchup mismatch for the Greyhounds, coming one rebound shy of a double-double. Spurgin finished with 18 points on 9 of 15 shooting with nine rebounds and five blocks.
Sophomore Delaney Nix had 12 points, going 4 of 7 from 3-point range.
Senior Tiana Parker added 10 points with five rebounds.
WT shot 48.1 percent (25 of 52) from the field, holding the Greyhounds to 30 percent shooting for the game.
The Lady Buffs dominated the paint, outscoring ENMU, 38-24.
WT visits UT Permian Basin in an LSC clash Thursday night.
West Texas A&M 17 33 51 58
E. New Mexico 8 18 32 51
WT— Abby Spurgin 18, Delaney Nix 12, Tiana Parker 10. ENMU— Zamorye Cox 14, Natalie DeLong 10. Records: WT 12-3, 5-1; ENMU 9-3, 3-3.
For full stats of both games from Saturday go to