PORTALES, N.M. – The West Texas A&M men's basketball team survived a Lone Star Conference scare against Eastern New Mexico, defeating the Greyhounds 99-95 in overtime. The Buffs remain undefeated on the season at 6-0 and start conference play 1-0 while ENMU falls to 3-2 on the season and 0-1 in league play.
 
The Leaders
Four Buffs reached double-digit scoring on Friday night led by a game-high 25 from Ahamed Mohammed. Amir McMillian (19), Narit Chotikavanic (14), and Jailyn Sledge (12) also ended their day in double figures. Sledge recorded his second collegiate double-double with a team-high 12 rebounds and three steals while Mohammed dished out four assists.  
 
How It Happened
After Eastern New Mexico grabbed an early lead, 11 unanswered points from the Buffs including three three-pointers gave WT an advantage at the first media timeout of the game. The Buffs extended their lead to double digits on a McMillian three before the Greyhounds cut the lead to eight. A quick 5-0 run restored the 10-plus point lead, taking an 11-point advantage into the 12-minute media timeout. The lead hovered around the 10 points before a cold spell on offense allowed Eastern New Mexico to get the game back within six ahead of the under-four media timeout. Before the half came to a close, a pair of free throws from Chotikavanic sent the Buffs to halftime with a 43-36 lead.
 
After the midway break, the Greyhounds came out with a sense of urgency to control momentum. Eastern New Mexico opened the second half on a 9-0 run before a pair of free throws from Bob Griechen ended the streak. The Greyhounds picked right back up, gaining their first lead since the opening minutes. Eastern New Mexico remained in control until WT fought back. With just under nine minutes to play, a steal and slam from Sledge restored a Buffalo lead and sent the freshman to the line after a timeout. Later in the half, back-to-back buckets from Griechen and McMillian put WT up four ahead of the final media timeout of the half.
 
With two minutes to play, McMillian came up big once again, knocking down a three to take the lead. Down the stretch, the game went to a free throw battle as the Buffs looked to secure the road victory while Eastern New Mexico attempted to come back. The Greyhounds' defense forced a turnover in the final 20 seconds, backing the ball out for a game-tying three. In regulation's final seconds, Mohammed created space for a step-back jumper but watched his attempt come up short.
 
In overtime, a quick bucket from McMillian followed by a steal and score from Sledge gave the Buffs momentum. WT pushed its lead to six with two and a half to play, but the Greyhounds wouldn't go away quietly. In the final minute, the Buffs continued to sink free throws, sealing a road win.
 
The Buffs take a break from Lone Star Conference play when they host Justice College for an exhibition on Friday, Nov. 29 at 1 p.m.
 
Inside the Box Score

• The Buffs lead the all-time series with Eastern New Mexico, 89-18.
• Head coach Tom Brown moves to 18-1 against the Greyhounds.
• WT shot 48.2% (27-of-56) from the field, 45.5% (10-of-22) from deep, 72.9% (35-of-48) from the charity stripe with 33 rebounds, 10 assists, 13 steals, one block, and 21 turnovers.
• Eastern New Mexico shot 50.0% (37-of-74) from the floor, 26.7% (4-of-25) from the 3-point range, 56.7% (17-of-30) at the free throw line with 44 rebounds, 13 assists, 10 steals, two blocks, and 23 turnovers.

 
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