Cowboys avenge earlier loss to WNMU, win 70-67

SILVER CITY, N.M. --- The New Mexico Highlands men's basketball team was able to avenge a season-opening loss to Western New Mexico as a key steal and free throws down the stretch by Raquan Mitchell helped the Cowboys push past the Mustangs 70-67 Wednesday at Drag's Court.
 
NMHU (2-1) saw a 17-point, second-half lead disappear in an 81-75 loss to WNMU (2-1) last Friday in Albuquerque, but the Cowboys were able to rally from a 14-point, first-half deficit to hand the Mustangs their first loss of the season.
 
NMHU trailed 59-50 with less than seven minutes left in the game when a Patrik Boloz dunk ignited a 13-0 run that was capped by a Nnamdi Okoro bucket with 3:45 remaining to give the Cowboys a 63-59 advantage.
 
The game remained tight from that point on as a pair of free throws from WNMU's Willie McCray tied the game at 67 with 1:20 remaining.
 
The Mustangs had a chance to take the lead, but missed a shot and NMHU's Mitchell was fouled going to the basket with 26 seconds left. The junior split the free throws to give the Cowboys a 68-67 lead.
 
After a WNMU timeout with 22 seconds left, the Mustangs had chance to take the lead, but Mitchell was there to pick up a key steal for NMHU and he was fouled with two seconds remaining. He drained both free throws to give the Cowboys a 70-67 lead.
 
The Mustangs weren't able to get a game-tying attempt off as the Cowboys picked up their second win in a row after losing their opener to WNMU.
 
Okoro was efficient for the Cowboys and led the team with 19 points, going 7-for-8 from the field and 5-for-5 from the free-throw line to go along with 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. Gerad Davis finished with 18 points on 8-for-16 shooting while Mitchell had 10 points, five rebounds and three steals.
 
NMHU shot 50 percent from the field, but were just 1-for-12 from 3-point range. However, the Cowboys were 13-for-14 from the free-throw line (WNMU was a perfect 7-for-7).
 
The Cowboys play their home opener 4 p.m. Saturday when they host University of the Southwest at Wilson Complex.