Silver City, N.M. – The Angelo State men's basketball team opened the 2025 schedule with a win on Friday evening in Silver City, defeating Western New Mexico 75-63 on Drag's Court.

The win was punctuated by a strong first-half performance from the Rams' offense, in which they shot 58.1 percent from the field despite only making two of their seven attempts from three-point range.

The Rams' defense also held firm against the Mustangs, holding the hosts to 35.9 percent shooting from the field and 23.1 percent from three.

This is the tenth game this season in which the Rams held their opposition to 66 points or fewer. They are 8-2 this season when they do so.

Sterling Gaston-Chapman led the Rams in scoring with 15 points. He made two of his five three-point attempts and went 5-for-6 from the free-throw line. He was also one of three Rams to record three assists.

Shemar Smith scored in double figures for the first time in eight games with 12 points on 4-for-8 shooting; he made four free throw attempts. He also led the Rams' rebounding effort with six rebounds as the two teams tied the rebounding battle at 33 apiece.

Blessing Adesipe scored a season-high nine points in 16 minutes off the bench. Jalen Gilmore and Kaden Evans posted identical stat lines with eight points, five rebounds, and three assists.

The Rams improve to 8-4 on the season and 4-2 in LSC play. They close out their road trip on Sunday afternoon when they travel to Alpine to take on Sul Ross State, who are coming off a loss to UT Permian Basin.