Sports Release
February 18, 1999

ENMU NEARS LSC TOURNAMENT BERTH
Zias Rally from 12-point Deficit, Defeat MSU in Key South Division Game
PORTALES, NM — Junior guard/forward Sharon Max (Kirtland, NM/Central H.S.) scored 16 of her game-high 21 points in the second half, leading Eastern New Mexico to a come-from-behind 71-68 victory over visiting Lone Star Conference foe Midwestern State, Feb. 18 at Greyhound Arena.

The Zias, who trailed 45-33 at halftime, improved to 14-10 overall and 7-7 in the LSC South Division. Eastern’s win ended a 7-game losing streak in Conference play. Midwestern State fell to 13-12 overall and 7-8 in the LSC South Division. With the win, ENMU moved into the driver’s seat in the battle for the fourth and final LSC South Division berth in the LSC Women’s Basketball Tournament.

The LSC Tournament begins at four sites on Tues., Feb. 23. The Zias, who host Texas Woman’s University on Fri., Feb. 24 (7:00 p.m. MST) and host Tarleton State on Sat., Feb. 25 (5:30 p.m.), need just one win to clinch the final tournament berth. Eastern even has a chance to receive the final berth if it loses both games — depending on other Conference results. ENMU is currently in sole possession of fourth place, one-half game ahead of MSU.

Max, who hit 5 three-pointers against Abilene Christian in Eastern’s last game, connected on 5 of 9 three-pointers against the Lady Indians. She made 3 three-pointers in the first nine minutes of the second half, helping ENMU to a 25-12 run and 58-57 lead with 10:40 remaining.

Midwestern State moved back in front, and led 65-58 with 6:04 left. Max hit her final 3-pointer at the 4:48 mark, starting a 13-0 Zia run that gave ENMU a 71-58 lead and clinched the victory.

Other key scorers for ENMU were senior guard/forward Bria Norris (Amarillo, TX/Amarillo H.S.), who scored 12 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, and junior post player Amanda Mendez (San Antonio, TX/Madison H.S.), who scored 11 points and hauled down 8 boards.

Sophomore post player Bobbie Wallin contributed 8 board and a game-high 10 rebounds. MSU, which shot 51.4% (18 of 35) in the first half, was limited to 21.4% (6 of 28) over the final 20 minutes.

The Lady Indians sank 6 of 11 three-pointers in the first half, but were 2 of 9 on three-pointers in the second half. Lindy Lombard paced Midwestern State with 20 points and 9 rebounds. Heather O’Neal added 15 points and 5 boards, while TeNay Garrett scored 12 points and recorded 6 rebounds.