ALBUQUERQUE --- The New Mexico Highlands men's basketball team dropped its season opener to Angelo State 96-94 on Saturday at The Pit.
The Cowboys led 81-78 with 4:44 remaining in the contest after a bucket from Darious Harrison before a 6-0 run by ASU would give it the lead for good. NMHU never trailed by more than five points down the stretch, but couldn't put together a run to overcome its deficit.
In a game where the teams combined to shoot 90 free throws (NMHU 42, ASU 48), the Cowboys shot 66.7 percent from the line compared to 72.9 percent for ASU.
Marcus Brown led the Cowboys with 24 points to go along with five assists and two steals.
Darius Harrison had 23 points (9-for-10 from the field) to go along with eight rebounds and four blocked shots, Ja'Vary Christmas had 12 and
Sammy Barnes-Thompkins and
Tyler Rodgers added 11 points (3-for-3 from 3-point range).
The Cowboys look to bounce back 1 p.m. Sunday against Eastern New Mexico again at The Pit.
