Lobos win third straight, boost ASC mark to 3-1

Art Gonzalez and Anthony Mata scored six points in the final 1:47 to lift Sul Ross State University to a 62-58 men's basketball win over visiting Howard Payne University Monday (Dec. 4) at the Gallego Center.

Coach Greg Wright's Lobos completed a three-game home sweep and raised their season record to 3-3, 3-1 in American Southwest Conference West Division play. Sul Ross is now idle until Dec. 16, when they travel to the University of Texas-Dallas.

Gonzalez (El Paso) sunk four free throws around Mata's (El Paso) layup as the Lobos broke a 56-56 tie in the final two minutes. Sul Ross netted 40 percent from the floor (20-50), but converted nine of 20 three-point attempts behind Gonzalez and reserve Travis Johnson (Temple). The pair combined for seven treys in 13 attempts to hold off the Yellowjackets, 1-5, 1-3. Senior forward Larry Reese (El Paso) provided inside punch with 18 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.

Howard Payne built an 18-7 advantage through the first nine and a half minutes before the Lobos responded. A 21-9 run, capped by Johnson's two free throws, put Sul Ross ahead 28-27 with 4:53 left. Reese hit a pair of buckets in the paint around Johnson's three-point play for an eight-point edge with 3:47 remaining. HPU's Kendrick Johnson connected on successive jumpers for a 35-31 halftime score.

Teams exchanged leads six times in the second half, with four ties, the last at 56-56 on Craig Blackman's hoop with 4:16 remaining. The next two and half minutes were scoreless, then Gonzalez sank a pair of free throws at 1:47. After a ‘Jacket turnover, Anthony Miller (Amarillo) fed Mata for a layup and a 60-56 edge with a minute to play.

Sean Wheeler's bucket 13 seconds later created a two-point game, but after an exchange of turnovers, Gonzalez drew a foul with five ticks left. The junior guard meshed both chances for the four-point win.

Gonzalez finished with 16 points and Johnson 14, with four assists apiece. Abraham Ely (El Paso) contributed nine points. The Lobos held a 33-31 rebound edge, committed 18 turnovers and had 14 assists. Reese blocked a pair of shots.

Kendrick Johnson tallied 18 points and Wheeler 16 for HPU. The losers shot 49 percent (26-53) from the floor, but just four of 14 beyond the arc. Howard Payne hit two of five free throws and the Lobos 13 of 19.

Lobos win third straight, boost ASC mark to 3-1

Art Gonzalez and Anthony Mata scored six points in the final 1:47 to lift Sul Ross State University to a 62-58 men's basketball win over visiting Howard Payne University Monday (Dec. 4) at the Gallego Center.

Howard Payne defeats Lady Lobos 63-48

Unbeaten Howard Payne University jumped to a 42-18 halftime lead and defeated Sul Ross State University 63-48 in American Southwest Conference women's basketball action Monday (Dec. 4).

J.V. boys second in Valentine tourney, beat Kermit Monday

The Alpine junior varsity boys purple basketball team competed in a three-day tournament in Valentine this past weekend.

J.V. girls fall to Kermit in District play

The Alpine junior varsity girls purple basketball team fell to Kermit in a squeaker Monday night 29-31.