ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Angelo Stat men's basketball team held on to a 96-94 victory over New Mexico Highlands to begin the 2021-22 season with a win in game one of the LSC/RMAC Challenge at the Pitt.
 
ASU's offense got going immediately against NMHU, jumping out to a 26-9 lead midway through the first half for the largest lead of the night.
 
Devaughn Thomas picked up where he left off a season ago, leading the Rams with 21 points while adding six rebounds and three blocks.
 
The Cowboys climbed back to within five points of the lead before ASU settled on a 39-32 advantage heading into halftime.
 
ASU outshot New Mexico Highlands from the field, shooting 49 percent on the night compared to 45 percent from the Cowboys while outrebounding their opponent 44 to 31.
 
Lathaniel Bastian opened the second half for the Rams with a layup, finishing the night with 13 points in his debut for ASU. He also finished with a team-high seven rebounds, including four offensive boards, and three blocks.
 
The Cowboys took their first lead of the night with 15:30 to play, hitting a three-pointer to go up 48-46 before holding their largest lead of the night of five points, 53-48.
 
ASU quickly fought back to tie the game as both teams went back and forth with 12 lead changes in the game.
 
The Rams took the lead for good with 4:05 to play as Tyrell Carroll hit a jumper to go up 82-81. ASU used an 8-4 run over the next two minutes to further the lead, 90-85.
 
Leading 94-92, Paul Williams hit two free throws to seal the victory for ASU and start the season 1-0.
 
Williams finished with 15 points on the night, going 3-of-6 from three-point range while Dante Moses collected 18 points in his first game for the Rams. Carroll finished with 10 points while Kelyn Pennie and BJ Anderson each added eight points on the night.
 
The Rams (1-0) continue the Conference Challenge tomorrow as they take on Fort Lewis in game two at the Pitt on Sunday at noon.