HOBBS, NM---For the first time in school history, the Mustangs will be heading into the New Year with a winning record in conference play. USW moved to 2-1 in conference play Saturday following a 90-89 victory over the visiting Paul Quinn Tigers. 

"I'm proud of the guys for pulling that out. We didn't play our best basketball the last 10 minutes of the game, but I thought they did a great job of executing and finishing the last minute. Today was a trap game for us. They get to go home for a few weeks and their minds are thinking about Christmas Break. We've been on a grind for three months and they want this break. I'm glad we got through this." said Head Coach Cory Hitchcock of Saturday afternoon's victory. 

The Mustang offense came out on fire in the 1st half putting up 53 points on 63% shooting from the field and 42% from beyond the arc. The Mustangs took a 53-41 lead into the locker room, but had to fight hard in the 2nd half to secure the victory. Paul Quinn held USW to only 37 points in the 2nd half, but the Mustangs scored the most important 3 points with 14 seconds left thanks to a crafty inbounds play that got Senior Akeem Black an open look to the hoop for an easy layup and a trip to the free-throw line to complete the 3-point play. Black drained the free-throw with 14.2 seconds left to give the Mustangs their final lead of the game. "We stopped pushing the ball and playing our game early in the 2nd half. We need to be aggressive and work downhill toward the hoop. We definitely forced some things"  said Coach Hitchcock of the early 2nd half struggles offensively. 

The Mustangs had 27 assists tonight thanks in part to all but one player in the lineup with an assist. Point guard Derrick Hall had 9 assists to lead the team. "We always talk about "one more" in practice trying to get that extra pass so we can get a good shot. I think the guys are starting to buy in to it. We are scoring more points because we're sharing the ball more." said Coach Hitchcock. 

The Mustangs will have a much needed 2 weeks of rest before they get back from Christmas Break and begin preparing for Texas A&M-Texarkana on January 9th. "We're going to come back on the 29th for a team meeting and get right back to it. If they stay in shape over the next two weeks, we should be in a good shape. We don't want to waste time in the gym trying to get back into shape. I think these guys will come back ready to go. They're starting to see the fruits of their labor are paying off." said Hitchcock of the Holiday break and their plan of attack when they come back.