PORTALES, N.M. – St. Edward's men's basketball surrendered 10 of the first 13 points and couldn't overcome the slow start in a 96-85 loss to the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds. 
 
MASON COURTNEY scored 23 points, and LEWIS ROWE added 22 points and seven rebounds, but Eastern New Mexico outscored St. Edward's 22-2 in fastbreak points and surrendered a 27-point, 13-rebound double-double to Mario Whitley. 
 
Eastern New Mexico opened the early 10-3 lead. MASON COURTNEY closed the gap rapidly with back-to-back 3-pointers and answered an offensive rebound and putback with a layup to stabilize St. Edward's at a 12-11 deficit. The Greyhounds responded with a 12-3 run, taking an 11-point lead on a Whitley free throw. 
 
Whitley scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the first half, crashing the offensive glass for six offensive rebounds for 10 second-half points. He also got to the free-throw line 10 times, converting eight. 
 
St. Edward's compounded matters with eight turnovers, of which five were the live-ball variety, giving the Greyhounds an 11-0 advantage in points off turnovers to trail 49-35 at the break. Courtney scored 11 points in the first half, hitting 3-for-7 from deep and 4-for-8 overall. 
 
Eastern New Mexico jumped to an 18-point lead two minutes into the second half, and St. Edward's got no closer than 10 points with three minutes remaining. 
 
Rowe scored 14 second-half points on eight shots, Courtney hit 4-for-7 from deep, and the Hilltoppers outscored the Greyhounds 50-47 in the second half. 
 
GAVINO RAMOS was the only other Hilltopper in double figures with 11 points and four assists. Jaden Clarke led all bench scorers with 18 points for Eastern New Mexico. 
 
St. Edward's drops to 17-11 with an 11-8 conference record with the loss. On Saturday, the Hilltoppers will travel to Canyon, Texas, to play West Texas A&M.