Men's Basketball split with Fort Lewis and Adams State on the road

Las Vegas, NM --- The New Mexico Highlands Men's basketball team traveled to Colorado where they split a pair of conference games to Fort Lewis and Adams State.
 
AGAINST FORT LEWIS (7-1, 1-1 RMAC): The Cowboys (6-1, 1-1 RMAC) started out by taking an early 15-8 lead over the Skyhawks in the first 4 minutes of play as Sammy Barnes-Thompkins, Desmond Carpenter and Raquan Mitchell all hit a three pointer for the Cowboys. The Skyhawks would then rally to tie the game at 24 with 11 minutes remaining in the half before taking the lead and maintaining a 49-39 lead going in to halftime.
 
Sammy Barnes-Thompkins would start the half by driving to the basket and making a lay-up followed by a three pointer on the next possession to cut the Skyhawk lead to 5-points. The Cowboys would continue to edge the Skyhawks lead before Raquan Mitchell connected on a three-pointer to give the Cowboys a 2-point advantage with 13 minutes to go. The Cowboys would then force the Skyhawks to miss their next 8 shot attempts and would jump to a 73-62 lead with 9:44 remaining. The Skyhawks would cut the lead down to as much as 4-points before the Cowboys would push to extend their lead to 91-80 with 2 minutes left and would go on to win the game 98-83.
 
The Cowboys finished the night by shooting 61.3% (38-62) from the field which included 44.8% (13-29) from three and out-rebounded the Skyhawks 34-29. The Cowboys were led by Raquan Mitchell who tallied 29 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals on the night. Sammy Barnes-Thompkins added 23 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds while Desmond Carpenter had himself a night by scoring 21 points and grabbing 4 rebounds.
 
AGAINST ADAMS STATE (3-5, 1-1 RMAC): The Cowboys and the Grizzlies found themselves in a god fight in a game that saw 9 lead changes. Adams State largest lead (8 points) came late in the first half while The Cowboys largest lead (9 points) came with 6:42 left in the game.
 
With the Cowboys leading 83-74, the Grizzlies would go on an 11-2 run to tie the game at 85 with 2:21 left in the half. Will Johnson would head to the free throw line before connecting on 1 of 2 free throws attempts to give the Cowboys a 1 point advantage. The Grizzlies would take the ball down on the next possession and take the lead with 1:50 remaining.
 
Sammy Barnes-Thompkins, who has been outstanding all season long for the Cowboys, missed the go-ahead lay-up with 45 seconds remaining and the Cowboys were forced to foul. The Grizzlies would make their free throws and take a 3-point lead over the Cowboys with 39 seconds to go. Raquan Mitchell would miss the three-pointer to tie the game and the Grizzlies would go on to win 92-86.
 
The Cowboys shot 40.6% (28-69) from the field which included 39.3% (11-28) from the three and out-rebounded the Skyhawks 46-41. Sammy Barnes-Thompkins finished with 28 points and 7 rebounds while Raquan Mitchell added 27 points and 5 rebounds. David Hall (17 points, 7 rebounds) and Will Johnson (8 points, 8 rebounds) also aided the Cowboys against the Grizzlies.
 
The Cowboys will be back in action this weekend against Dixie State on Friday night and Westminster on Saturday night at the Wilson Complex at 7 pm.  NMHU Athletics will be hosting a meet & greet for anyone who wants to meet your COWBOYS!!
 
GO COWBOYS!!!