ESPANOLA, N.M. – The OUAZ men's basketball team opened a new season on Friday afternoon with a tough 65-63 loss against the University of Southwest at the Ohkay Owingeh Classic hosted by Northern New Mexico College.
 
OUAZ (0-1) trailed by 13 during the first half before using a 14-7 run over the final 7:22 to get within 35-29 at the half. The second half saw the lead change hands six times, including the Spirit opening a five-point cushion midway through the half. Southwest (1-1) responded to the Spirit advantage with a 14-3 run to lead 55-49 with 8:36 to play.
 
Again, OUAZ would answer and they took the lead with 2:42 to play. They weren't able to maintain the lead as the Mustangs got a three-point-play with under 30 seconds to play to take the lead for good.
 
The Spirit finished the game shooting 34.6 percent from the field and hitting on 7 of 24 from beyond the arc. The team took advantage at the foul line by converting 20 of 27 at the stripe.
 
Tanner Riley led OUAZ with 23 points on an 8 of 16 shooting night. He made 3 of 7 from 3-point range and grabbed five rebounds.
 
Brian King Jr. added 17 points and seven rebounds. Dimetres Moore and Emeka Iheama had five points apiece.
 
Southwest shot 32.9 percent and had a 49-37 edge in rebounds thanks to 15 offensive rebounds. OUAZ committed 15 turnovers while forcing 14 from the Mustangs with nine steals.
 
Emmanuel McNeil led Southwest with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
 
The Spirit will return to the court on Saturday night when they close their trip to New Mexico with a 7 p.m. MDT / 6 p.m. MST game against Northern New Mexico.