LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- A furious start to the second half helped the New Mexico Highlands men's basketball team overcome a six-point halftime deficit as the Cowboys led for final 18 minutes of the contest and defeated Adams State 100-95 Saturday night at Wilson Complex.
It was the Cowboys' seventh consecutive win, the longest streak for the program since winning eight in a row late in the 2009-10 season.
NMHU (7-1 overall, 3-0 RMAC) trailed the Grizzlies (2-6, 2-1) 44-38 at the break when
Raquan Mitchell quickly cut the lead with a 3-pointer 18 seconds into the second half. The Cowboys' press kicked in as
Desmond Carpenter stole the ball and scored on a layup before another turnover and a
Nnamdi Okoro basket in the paint at the 19:18 mark turned a six-point deficit into a 45-44 NMHU lead in a matter of 42 seconds.
The Cowboy lead grew to double figures when
Gerad Davis hit a jumper to make it 64-53 with 13:46 left in the game. But Adams State didn't go away as the Grizzlies eventually shaved the NMHU lead to 91-89 with 2:47 remaining in the contest.
However,
Adrian LaFleur on the next possession drove into the lane and hit an off-hand runner off the glass to push the lead back to four points and Mitchell put the nail in the Adams State coffin when he hit a step-back 3-pointer with 24 seconds left to make it 98-91.
In the second half, the Cowboys shot a red-hot 72.7 percent from the field (24-for-33) and 3-point range (8-for-11). NMHU finished the game shooting 59.7 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point range (11-for-22).
Mitchell led the Cowboys with 24 points and was 6-for-11 from 3-point range. Davis had 21 points, six rebounds and two assists, Okoro had 20 points, six rebounds and two blocks,
Jordan Jones had 18 points and four rebounds.
Shemar Johnson led the Grizzlies with 28 points while Adams State shot 56.7 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from 3-point range (45.5 percent).
The Cowboys return to action Friday when they travel to take on Dixie State in St. George, Utah.
