Athletic Report
December 9, 1999

OPSU DEFEATS EASTERN NEW MEXICO
Zias Fall to 5-2 on the Season
GOODWELL, OK — Oklahoma Panhandle State University received 23 points and 13 rebounds from senior guard Elsa Baltazar, as the Lady Aggies earned a 72-67 victory over visiting Eastern New Mexico University, Dec. 9 at Oscar Williams Fieldhouse. OPSU improved to 5-4 on the season, while ENMU dropped to 5-2.

The Lady Aggies built a 35-18 lead over the first 13 minutes of the game. They held an 11-point advantage, 42-31, at the half. ENMU, which closed the first half with a 13-7 run, outscored OPSU 22-9 to open the second half. The Zias tied the game at 53-53 with 9:59 remaining on a basket by junior guard Lenni Hartley (Roy, NM/Roy H.S.).

The Zias led, 56-55, following a jumper by senior post player Jenny Conaway (Midland, TX/South Plains College) with 8:31 on the clock. OPSU took the lead for good 25 seconds later on a basket by Valerie Lemmens, who finished the game with 11 points.

Panhandle State led by a single point, 68-67, after ENMU sophomore guard Missy Frazier (Levelland, TX/South Plains College) sank two free throws with 2:00 left. The Lady Aggies clinched the victory by holding Eastern scoreless the rest of the way and by sinking 4 of 6 free throws in the final 1:31.

Eastern’s top scorer was junior post player Bobbie Wallin (Moriarty, NM/Moriarty H.S.), who hit the nets for 11 points. Brandi Bates (Jr., G/F, Plainview, TX/Plainview H.S.) contributed 10 points and 4 assists, while Missy Frazier (So., G, Levelland, TX/South Plains College) and Katheryne Hickman (Jr., Post, San Antonio, TX/Castle Hills Baptist) produced 9 points apiece.

The Zias shot just 35.5% for the game (27 of 76). Senior post player Amanda Hewitt (San Antonio, TX/Madison H.S.) led the Zias with 7 rebounds. She also scored 5 points, and recorded 3 assists and 3 steals.

OPSU shot 41.8% (23 of 55) from the field. The Lady Aggies made 11 more free throws than the Zias, converting 22 of 31 charity shots while ENMU sank 11 of 16. Shannon Fleming scored 11 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and earned 2 assists for OPSU.

ENMU continues its road trip on Sat., Dec. 11, when the Zias take on Northern Colorado. Tipoff in Greeley, Colo. is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (MST). The game against the Bears will end a string of four straight road games for the Zias. ENMU is currently 1-2 on the road trip.