The Tarleton State University Texan basketball team, lead by Head Coach Lonn Riesman, had won 10 straight games prior to Saturday’s game against the Eastern New Mexico University Greyhounds, and after narrowly defeating ENMU 65-55, the team gained win number 11. The Lone Star Conference tournament draws near, making every game crucial for Tarleton to secure the one-seed over Angelo State University, who also held a 23-2 record Saturday.

Despite the Greyhounds posting the first points of the game, the Texans’ largest deficit was two points. Tarleton trailed twice in the initial three minutes (2-0, 5-3), and from then on the Texans sat in the driver’s seat.

Malcolm Hamilton’s 3-pointer (15:20, firstst) marked the third and final lead-change, proceeded by Mo Lee’s consecutive dime beyond the arc (14:33, first) including one additional point from the free-throw line.

Neither team would score again until 10:07 remained in the period when the Greyhounds managed to tie the score at 10-10. Another 2:14 would expire preceding Lee’s 3-pointer.

Nosa Ebomwonyi joined the club with his 3-point bucket, which prompted the Greyhounds into substituting shortly after (6:57, first).

Tarleton’s largest lead of the first half came at 1:40 before halftime after Mike Hardge’s two free throws extended their margin to 26-18. Though Eastern New Mexico’s 3-pointer rounded out the half, the Texans entered their locker room at the break with a 26-20 lead.

ENMU’s efforts to regain the lead after halftime were to no avail – 7:57 into the second period, the Texans achieved their first double-digit advantage (44-34,13:03 in second). Another drought in scoring followed Ebomwonyi’s 3-point play (47-34, 11:40 in second) prior to Lee’s layup with 8:27 remaining.

As the contest dwindled near the final five minutes, Lee proved successful on two free throws that provided Tarleton with their largest lead of the game (53-36, 5:45 in second).

Eastern New Mexico’s attempts to overcome their deficit proved fruitless, as Tarleton still held a double-digit lead (62-50) entering the final minute. Adding insult to the Greyhound’s injury, the game’s last moments consisted of Lee’s steal and assist to TaShawn Mabry for a slam-dunk that sent the opposition home with a 65-55 loss.

Lee’s efforts resulted in a game-high 26 points on a night where the Texans made 48% of their overall goal attempts. The Texans (24-2, 11-2 in LSC [11 straight]) will face McMurray University in Abilene tonight at 8 p.m. before the regular season’s conclusion against Texas A&M University – Commerce at home next Saturday.