Athletic Report
November 19, 1998

CENTRAL OKLAHOMA EDGES ENMU IN SEASON OPENER FOR ZIAS
EDMOND, OK — Freshman forward Keri Smith of the University of Central Oklahoma hit a jumper with 1:03 remaining to break a 71-71 tie and send the Lady Bronchos to a 73-71 win over Eastern New Mexico. Central Oklahoma improved to 1-2 on the season. The game was ENMU’s season opener.

Eastern New Mexico had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds. The Zias had the ball following a timeout with 13 seconds left, but a shot by senior guard Julie Smith (Albuquerque, NM/Eldorado H.S.) missed at the buzzer.

The last minute defeat offset a valiant rally by the Zias in the final 10 minutes. ENMU trailed by 12 points, 58-46, with 9:42 remaining. The Zias scored 14 unanswered points to take a 60-58 lead with 6:41 left. Junior guard/forward Sharon Max (Kirtland, NM/Kirtland Central H.S.) sank two 3-pointers during the run. Her second three-pointer completed the offensive surge and gave ENMU its two-point lead.

Central Oklahoma regained the lead 24 seconds later, when freshman guard Amy Guffy sank a 3-pointer. UCO extended its lead to 71-65 with 2:52 remaining, but the Zias rallied to tie the score. Max hit a jumper to make it 71-67, then junior post player Amanda Mendez (San Antonio, TX/Madison H.S.) scored two layups following ENMU steals. Her second layup, scored with 1:31 remaining, tied the game at 71-71. The winning basket by UCO’s Smith with 1:03 left produced the only points for either team the rest of the way.

Central Oklahoma benefited from excellent three-point shooting. Senior guard Courtney Berry, who scored a game-high 29 points, connected on 6 of 7 three-point attempts. Overall, the Lady Bronchos converted 13 of 23 three-pointers (56.5%). The Lady Bronchos shot just 43.9% overall. Guffy was the only other UCO player in double figures. She scored 10 points (2 of 3 three-pointers).

The Zias shot 56.6% for the game, including 64.3% in the second half. Mendez led ENMU with 19 points on 9 of 13 shooting from the floor. She also grabbed 6 rebounds. Max added 18 points on 7 of 9 field goal shooting, including 4 of 6 on three-pointers. Senior guard/forward Bria Norris (Amarillo, TX/Amarillo H.S.) finished with 11 points and was 5 of 9 from the field.

Eastern New Mexico plays at Northeastern State on Sat., Nov. 21. Tipoff is set for 5:00 p.m. (MST).