SALT LAKE CITY, UT - The Westminster Griffins dropped a competitive contest to New Mexico Highlands 91-84 on Thursday night at Behnken Field House. The loss moves Westminster to 9-14 overall and 4-11 in RMAC play, while the Cowboys improved to 11-15 and 9-6 in conference action.
Game Breakdown
First Half
Westminster opened strong, taking an early lead before New Mexico Highlands seized control. The Cowboys shot an impressive 64.29% from the field in the opening half, including a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc. The Griffins stayed competitive behind 51.43% shooting and went 5-12 from three-point range.
The first half featured four ties and six lead changes as neither team could pull away. New Mexico Highlands built leads as large as seven points, but Westminster continued to battle back. Nick Holland provided a spark off the bench, hitting a three-pointer and completing a three-point play to give the Griffins a brief 33-32 lead late in the half.
However, the Cowboys closed the half on a 13-9 run, fueled by hot shooting from Ibrahima Sacko and Ramiah Adedigba. New Mexico Highlands took a 45-42 advantage into the break.
Second Half
The second half saw New Mexico Highlands maintain steady control despite multiple Westminster rallies. The Griffins struggled to find their shooting touch in the final 20 minutes, converting just 31.58% from the field and 22.22% from three-point range.
New Mexico Highlands extended their lead to as many as 17 points midway through the half behind dominant interior play. Sacko continued his strong performance in the paint while the Cowboys shot 60.71% from the field in the second half.
Westminster made a late push, cutting the deficit to seven points in the final minute behind strong play from Colin Hayes and Michael Fraizer, but ran out of time. The Griffins went 14-15 from the free-throw line in the second half but couldn't overcome their field goal shooting struggles.
Griffin Performances
Michael Fraizer led Westminster with 18 points on 6-12 shooting, adding seven rebounds, two assists, and a steal in 26 minutes.
Colin Hayes contributed 15 points off the bench, going 5-15 from the field with seven rebounds and four assists in 24 minutes of action.
Boston Painter added 13 points on efficient 5-7 shooting in just 13 minutes, providing a valuable spark for the Griffins.
Jake Nadauld posted 12 points and grabbed two rebounds while dishing out three assists in 32 minutes.
Cole Kadoguchi chipped in eight points on 3-7 shooting, adding two rebounds and four assists.
Up Next
The Griffins will look to bounce back as they continue RMAC play.
