SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Cowboys rallied from a 14-point, first-half deficit, but the Mustangs hit a triple with 15 seconds left and the defense held as New Mexico Highlands (5-21, 5-17 RMAC) lost its season finale to Western New Mexico (3-23, 3-19 RMAC) 84-83 Saturday night (Feb. 28) in Silver City, New Mexico.
Trailing 60-55 with 10:44 remaining in the game, junior
Jonathon Mines raced down the court for the fastbreak hoop. Mines then split from the line and classmate
Kendrick Nichols dunked for to tie the game for the first time since just 14:17 in the game (9-9).
Neither team led by more than two for most of the remainder of the game before Nichols hit a pair from the line and the Highlands 78-75 lead with 3:42 left. Western New Mexico responded with a layup, but junior
Kaylen Shane kicked the ball out of the post to Nichols for the triple to expand the lead to 81-77.
With the teams tied, Mines hit a pair from the free throw line with 41 ticks left to put the Cowboys up 83-81. Gavin Wood responded with a three with 17 seconds left in the game, and junior
Matthew Logan's triple at the buzzer fell short as Western New Mexico claimed the win.
Mines led the Cowboys with 33 points while Nichols added the double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore
Ricky Norris added 17. The Cowboys outshot the Mustangs 52.1 percent (25-48) to 39.4 percent (28-71), but Highlands threw 16 turnovers that led to 26 Mustang points.
Tied at 9 six minutes in, the Mustangs warmed up from three to score 11 unanswered in a minute and a half. Brandon Tanter hit a three before Marcos Castrillo hit a fastbreak triple. Castrillo hit another three before a fastbreak layup off a steal put the home team up double-digits in a blink.
The Cowboys cut the deficit to 42-34 at the break.
Tanter led the home team with 25 points while Castrillo had the double-double with 19 points and 10 boards. The Cowboys won the rebounding battle 37-36, but the Mustangs led 15-6 in offensive boards and 19-12 in second-chance points.
