LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International men's basketball used a 51-point second half to comeback from a double-digit deficit to defeat Eastern New Mexico 72-63 to open Lone Star Conference play.
 
The Dustdevils (9-2, 1-0 LSC) jumped ahead to an early 10-5 lead in the opening 4:46, but from there, the remainder of the first half belonged to the Greyhounds (4-6, 0-1 LSC).
 
Eastern New Mexico would limit TAMIU to just 20% shooting and went on a 25-11 run the remaining 15:14 to hold a 30-21 edge at halftime.
 
Out of the break, the Greyhounds continued to build their lead, reaching a game-high 15 points (42-27) with 15:28 remaining.
 
From then until 10:55 remaining, the Dustdevils went on a 17-1 run to regain the lead at 44-43, and it expanded to as much as a 26-5 run as TAMIU took a six-point lead (53-47) with 6:55 left in the second half.
 
With 2:28 remaining, Eastern New Mexico cut the deficit to 59-56 and TAMIU countered to outscore the Greyhounds 13-7 down the stretch for the victory.
 
On the night, the Dustdevils shot just 32.2% (19-for-59) from the floor and 21.9% (7-for-32) from deep, but capitalized on 27 of 37 free throws.
 
Eastern New Mexico shot 41.9% (18-for-43) in the loss, but were just 3-for-13 from three. The Greyhounds did convert 24 of 31 free throws.
 
TAMIU outrebound Eastern New Mexico 36-33, while also outscoring the Greyhounds in points off turnovers, 34-19.
 
Three Dustdevils finished in double figures, with junior La-Quiem Walker leading the charge with 21 points on 5-for-11 shooting and 9-for-12 from the charity stripe, to go alongside 13 rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
 
Junior Jermaine Drewey scored 20 points with five rebounds, scoring 18 of his 20 in the second half. Freshman Tiras Morton scored all 13 of his points in the second half as the third Dustdevils in double figures.
 
TAMIU hadn't won its opening conference game since 2016-17 and will look to match that team's 2-0 conference start when they host #1 Lubbock Christian on Sunday, Jan. 2 from the KCB. Opening tip is set for 3 p.m.