Las Vegas, New Mexico - For the first time since the 2018-19 season, the New Mexico Highlands men's basketball team starts the RMAC season at 2-0 after a 75-61 win over Chadron State in the Wilson Complex on Saturday. The Cowboys are 5-2 overall to go along with the 2-0 start in conference play. Chadron State falls to 3-4 overall and 1-1 in the RMAC.
Chadron State led the game 52-41 with 12:18 to go in the second half, but the Cowboys outscored the visitors 34-9 down the stretch to seal the victory.
"We wanted to protect home court this weekend,' said Head Coach
Mike Dominguez after the game. "Conference games are so hard to win on the road so winning at home is crucial."
As a team the Cowboys shot 46% from the floor this evening and 85% from the free throw line. They made good on eight three pointers, including six during the impressive second half run to close out the game. Chadron State held a 34-30 edge in rebounding.
Kenard Richardson came off the bench to lead the Cowboys with 20 points in the game, 17 of which came during the final 12:18 of the game. Richardson was 7-12 from the floor, two of three from beyond the arc and a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line on Saturday.
"I am so proud of Kenard, he didn't play much on Friday and he could have hung his head and he didn't," said Coach Dominguez. "He started the run for us in the second half."
AC Curry scored 19 points and
Kyrie Thomas added 15 to pace the Cowboys.
Ezichi Kalu recorded a game high in rebounds with 11 and blocked shots with three.
"Our team is so deep it can be anyone on any night and tonight it was Kenard along with AC and Kyrie." said Dominguez.
The Cowboys will be on the road next weekend for a game on Friday at nationally ranked Fort Lewis and Saturday at Adams State.
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