Box Score Las Vegas, N.M. – The NMHU Men's Basketball team completed the weekend sweep in conference play with a 91-78 victory over the Yellow Jackets of Black Hills State University, on 1/19. With the win the Cowboys, led by Head Coach Joe Harge, improve to 5-7 in the RMAC and 7-9 in overall play.
Black Hills started the game strong, getting an eight-point lead (17-9) just five and a half minutes into the first half of play. The Cowboys were struggling to get in rhythm and the Yellow Jackets were able to extend their lead to 13 points (29-16) with 11:42 left in the half.
The Cowboys began to regain their composure and a three-point shot by
Lavell McDade cut the lead down to just four points (33-29) with 4:14 remaining before the half. When the buzzer sounded for halftime, the Yellow Jackets took a 38-34 lead into the locker-room.
At the beginning of the second half, Black Hills once again had control of the game and they were able to increase their lead back up to eight points (44-36) just two and a half minutes into the half. The Cowboys found their stride quickly and ran off 10 unanswered points to take their first lead of the game 46-44.
The Cowboys were playing with a new sense of confidence and they began to take control of the game. With 10:40 left in the game, they had managed to jump out to a 14 point lead (63-49).
The Yellow Jackets managed to cut the Cowboy lead down to eight points a couple of times, but they would get no closer. The Cowboys continued to control the remainder of the game and when the final buzzer sounded, it was the Cowboys who ended up victorious by the final score of 91-78.
Lavell McDade was the top performer for the Cowboys with 25 points. McDade was 5-8 from beyond the three-point arc and finished 9-16 from the field. He would add five rebounds, seven assists and two steals in his 38 minutes on the court.
Stargell Love played with intensity against the Yellow Jackets, scoring 16 points in 24 minutes. Love also had six assists, one steal, and two rebounds. He shot an impressive 2-2 from three-point range and 7-8 from the field.
Augustus French continued his top defensive play against Black Hills State. He blocked four shots and grabbed six rebounds (two offensive and four defensive) in his 29 minutes on the court. French scored 12 point, finishing with one assist and one steal.
Dominick Baca rounded out the Cowboys top players against the Yellow Jackets with 11 points. Baca made two of his four three-point attempts, adding three rebounds and an assist in his 20 minutes of playing time.
The Cowboys finished this weekend's home stand with two important victories. This successful turnaround gives them a shot of confidence as they look to contend for a spot in RMAC post-season play.
GO COWBOYS!!!
