Las Vegas, NM – The Westminster Griffins Men's Basketball team took on the New Mexico Highlands Cowboys in a thrilling RMAC showdown that came down to the final moments. Despite a strong second-half push, the Griffins fell just short on the road, 79-76.
Westminster trailed 36-30 at halftime, but they came out with intensity in the second half, outscoring the Cowboys 46-43 in the final 20 minutes. However, New Mexico Highlands managed to hold off the Griffins' late-game surge, securing the narrow three-point victory.
Balanced Scoring Effort for the Griffins
Four different Griffins scored in double figures, showcasing a well-rounded offensive attack. Simon Akena led Westminster with 16 points, shooting an efficient 8-of-14 from the field while grabbing 7 rebounds. Donaval Avila added 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting, while Chase Potter contributed 13 points and 6 rebounds. Jack Jamele provided a boost off the bench, hitting 3-of-5 from beyond the arc to finish with 10 points.
Key Stats for Westminster
- Field Goal Percentage: 51.7% (30-58)
- Three-Point Shooting: 33.3% (6-18)
- Free Throws: 71.4% (10-14)
- Points in the Paint: 38
- Second-Chance Points: 19
- Bench Points: 22
New Mexico Highlands Holds Strong
The Cowboys also had four players score in double figures, led by a dominant performance from Blessin Kimble, who shot an impressive 9-of-10 from the floor on his way to 22 points and 6 rebounds. Nathan Hasberry added 14 points and 4 assists, while KJ LaMonte (13 points) and Ja'Kwon Hill (10 points) also played key roles in the win.
Key Stats for NMHU
- Field Goal Percentage: 52.9% (27-51)
- Three-Point Shooting: 40.9% (9-22)
- Free Throws: 72.7% (16-22)
- Points in the Paint: 32
- Fast Break Points: 8
- Bench Points: 12
Up Next:
The Griffins will now turn their attention to another RMAC road battle as they travel to Alamosa, CO, to take on Adams State University on Saturday, February 15. Westminster previously defeated the Grizzlies in a 107-95 victory at Behnken Field House on January 9.
Tip-off is set for 3:00 P.M., and fans can follow the action live on the RMAC Network and stay updated on all things Griffins Basketball at WestminsterGriffins.com.
