Athletic Report
December 8,2000

ZIAS SLIP PAST OPSU IN OVERTIME
Hickman Scores 25 Points in 77-74 Win
PORTALES, NM —Senior forward Katheryne Hickman (San Antonio, TX/Castle Hills Baptist H.S.) scored 25 points, including a game-tying 3-pointer in overtime, to lead Eastern New Mexico University to a 77-74 overtime victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State University, on the first night of the Zia Classic, Dec. 8 at Greyhound Arena. The win evened ENMU’s record at 3-3. OPSU fell to 4-4.

In the other first round game of the Zia Classic, Lubbock Christian University held off previously undefeated Missouri Southern State College, 62-53. LCU improved to 5-5, while MSSC dropped to 5-1.

The Zia Classic schedule for Saturday (Dec. 9) was pre-determined. Lubbock Christian will open the second day against Panhandle State at 5:30 p.m. (MST). ENMU will take on Missouri Southern at 7:30 p.m. (MST).

Eastern New Mexico rallied from a 73-70 deficit in overtime to secure the win. Hickman connected on the game-tying trifecta with 1:06 remaining in the extra period. Missy Klafka (Jr., G/F, Levelland, TX/South Plains College) put the Zias in front for good, 75-73, when she sank both ends of a two-shot foul with 30 seconds left.

OPSU missed a pair of shots a few seconds later, but the Lady Aggies grabbed the rebound each time. Candace Varnedoe, who was fouled after hauling down the second rebound, hit the first of two free throws with 18 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to 75-74.

Klafka increased ENMU’s lead to 77-74 by converting two free throws after OPSU’s Kelly Harris was called for an intentional foul with 11.8 seconds left. The intentional foul enabled Eastern to keep the ball after Klafka’s charity shots, but the Zias turned the ball over with 9 seconds left. OPSU never took a final 3-point shot to tie the game because ENMU’s Breanne Baker (Sr., F/P, Sudan, TX/Sudan H.S.) stole the ball with 2 seconds remaining.

Joining Hickman in double figures for the Zias was freshman post Tia Doss (Albuquerque, NM/Highland H.S.). Doss scored 11 points (4 of 4 FGs) and grabbed 3 rebounds in just 12 minutes, before leaving the game with a strained knee with 16:59 left in the second half.

Bates added 9 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for ENMU. Klafka scored 9 points, while Jody Avent (Sr., G, Stinnett, TX/South Plains) earned 7 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.

ENMU trailed, 60-53, with 3:05 remaining in regulation, but rallied to take the lead in the final minute. Lenny Hartley (Sr., G/F, Roy,NM/ Roy H.S.) started the comeback with consecutive baskets, including a 3-pointer that cut the deficit to 60-58 with 2:13 left.

The Lady Aggies led 62-60 when OPSU Head Coach Deb McWilliams was charged with a technical foul at the 39-second mark. The technical came after Harris was called for an offensive foul. Hickman tied the game by converting both free throws.

Hickman also gave ENMU the lead, 64-62, on a basket with 23 seconds left. Eilene Graham of OPSU forced overtime by sinking a 16-foot jumper with 9 seconds on the clock.

Graham, who led all scorers with 29 points, scored 23 during the second half and the overtime. She was 11 of 19 overall from the floor, including 8 of 13 in the final 25 minutes. Graham also grabbed 9 rebounds, and played 39 of the game’s 45 minutes.

OPSU shot 48.1% for the game (26 of 54), including 53.1% in the second half and overtime (17 of 32). Graham was joined in double figures by Harris, with 16 points, and by Shannon Fleming, with 12 points. Harris led all players with 14 rebounds. Chanda Crandall provided 7 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

The Lady Aggies outrebounded ENMU, 47-38, and held Eastern to 35.2% from the field (25 of 71), but committed 27 turnovers. The Zias, who lost the ball 17 times, benefited from the turnover advantage. The Zias also connected on 8 of 19 three-point shots, while OPSU made 5 of 10 three-pointers during the game.