The Savage Storm men’s basketball team earned a split last week on their road trip to Portales, N.M. and Canyon, Texas in two tight ball games that could have gone either way.

The 67-63 win over Eastern New Mexico gave SE coach Tony Robinson’s team their third win in a row only six games in, while the 60-58 loss to West Texas A&M two days later could just as easily have been the team’s fourth win of the year.

“I think we’re in a good spot right now,” Robinson said. “We’re 3-4 through our first seven games with five of those on the road.

“I like the way our team’s coming along and I think we’re learning every time we step out on the court, and we get a little bit better.”

The return of junior college transfer Darrell Hicks to the line-up was a definite boost to the squad, as he had 28 and 19 points, respectively, in the two games.

“Hicks coming back has really helped us,” Robinson said. “I think the more that we get to play with him and the other kids get to play with him, the better we’re going to get.”

While the loss to West Texas was tough, Robinson was happy with the split of the two games on the five-day road trip.

“As a coach you have to be happy with that,” he said. “It’s the toughest road trip in the conference, 10 hours to Portales and then back to Canyon for the second game.

“I know the kids got tired in the second half of that last game against West Texas, but they played with a lot of emotion and a lot of heart, and if they’ll do that for me, I’m always pleased.”

It’s not going to be any easier for the men in their upcoming games, as they host undefeated and No. 19 in the country Midwestern State on Saturday, and then turn around to face 5-1 Tarleton State on Monday.

“Midwestern is 8-0 and probably the best team in the conference, it will be a big challenge for us,” Robinson said. “I’m real excited about it and I know the kids are. To be a good team you have to beat the good teams. It’s an opportunity for us to beat a ranked team and to show people the potential that we have.

“I think our kids will play extremely hard.”

The Storm have already run up against Tarleton at the Tarleton Classic in November in Stephenville, Texas, where they dropped a defensive battle 54-43.

“Tarleton’s got maybe one of the best teams they’ve ever had,” Robinson said. “They can shoot it, are very athletic, and their big players are very gifted, so it will be another challenge for us.

“But I feel good about both games. They should be exciting and great games to watch.”

Tip-offs for both contests are 8 p.m., following the women’s games against the same schools at Bloomer Sullivan Arena.