SILVER CITY, NM – JV Long filled up the stat sheet as the Cameron men's basketball team took down Western New Mexico 75-61 on Saturday evening; CU is now 12-6 overall this season and 5-3 in Lone Star Conference play.

Cameron got off to a slow start against Western New Mexico, going 0-9 from the field and 0-5 from three in the first five minutes of the game before Elish Benjamin made a layup to put them on the board. CU was able to come back and tie the game at 12 points apiece near the 10 minute mark, but another cold stretch from the Aggies, let the Mustangs take back the lead late in the first half. After being down seven with just over two minutes left till the break, CU scored four straight points and found themselves down just three, 30-27 going into halftime.

The Aggies shot just 29.4 percent from the field and went 2-13 from three. They did however make 5-6 from the free throw line, and held the Mustangs to just 32.1 percent shooting through the first 20 minutes of play. Benjamin finished the first half just one point away from his career high of 11 points, scoring 10 on 3-3 shooting with two three pointers. Stacey Lambert and Long each had six points at the break.

CU came out in the second half and scored nine straight points to go up by six, capped off by a Tyus Momoh steal and three point shot. After giving up five straight points to WNMU, the Aggies came right back with four points of their own to go up 40-35 by the 16 minute mark. From there, Cameron stretched their league out to 13 with 8:50 left in the game, and maintained around a 10 point lead through the remainder of the second half.  A layup by Tyler Williams in the final minute of play sealed the Aggies 75-61 win.
Cameron shot 40.6 percent from the field, but only went 4-22 from three and 15-25 from the charity stripe. They turned ball over just five times and won the rebounding battle 47-37. CU held the Mustangs to shooting just 29.6 percent from the field, while going 8-25 from three and hitting on 21-29 from the free throw line.

Long led all scorers with 17 points, while bringing down a career high nine rebounds. He also recorded six assists and three steals. Benjamin finished with a career high 14 points, while Trey Hall was just one point away from a double-double, scoring nine points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

WNMU was led by Willie McCray, who had 15 points and six rebounds, while Emery Range chipped in seven points and 10 rebounds. Western drops to 2-13 overall and 0-7 in league play.

The Aggies have a quick turnaround after their long trip home from New Mexico, as they will take on their rival Midwestern State on Tuesday, Jan. 17 starting at 7:30 p.m.