Athletic Report
Jan 18, 2000

HICKMAN SCORES 29 AS ZIAS DOWN LIONS
COMMERCE, TX — Junior post/forward Katheryne Hickman (San Antonio, TX/ Castle Hills Baptist H.S.) scored a career high 29 points, including 6 three-pointers, as Eastern New Mexico University defeated Texas A&M University-Commerce, 85-79, in a Lone Star Conference South Division game on Tues., Jan. 18. ENMU improved to 9-6 overall and 3-3 in the LSC South. TAMU-Commerce fell to 1-15, 0-6 in LSC action.

The victory was the second in as many nights for the Zias, who defeated LSC opponent Texas Woman’s University, 87-74, on Monday (Jan. 17). The 87 points scored against TWU were the most by the Zias since a 92-55 victory over TAMU-Commerce on Feb. 7, 1998.

Eastern’s wins over Texas Woman’s and TAMU-Commerce were the first games this season in which the Zias scored more than 80 points. It was also the first time ENMU scored more than 80 points in consecutive games since Dec. 13 and Dec. 15, 1997, when the Zias downed Schreiner College, 86-50, and defeated Western New Mexico, 81-69.

Hickman connected on 9 of 16 field goals in Tuesday’s win. She was 6 of 10 on 3-pointers, and finished just 2 short of the ENMU record for 3-pointers in a game (8, by Teresa Ramos against Abilene Christian, 1990-91). Hickman also earned 6 boards for the Zias. Jody Avent (Jr., G, Stinnett, TX/South Plains College) scored 15 points, was 7 of 11 from the field, and dished out 4 assists.

Amanda Hewitt (Sr., Post, San Antonio, TX/Madison H.S.) provided 10 points and 5 boards. Brandi Bates (Jr., G/F, Plainview, TX/Plainview H.S.) scored 10 points, led all players with 12 assists, and topped the Zias with 7 rebounds.

ENMU finished the game with a 42-30 rebounding edge. The Zias led 40-30 with 4:52 left in the first half on a pair of free throws by Bates. Eastern concluded the half with a 50-42 advantage on 54.5% shooting (18 of 33). TAMU-C scored the first three points of the second half to pull within five. The Zias countered with a 23-10 run, taking a 73-55 lead with 12:41 remaining.

The Lions got within four points, 79-75, on a 3-pointer by Jessica Douglas with 1:54 left, and trailed again by four points, 81-77, at the 1:24 mark. ENMU was 4 for 5 at the line in the final 25 seconds.

Jennifer Hickman (Katheryne’s sister) scored 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for TAMU-Commerce. Jessica Timbrell also scored 17 points for the Lions.

ENMU, which has played three games in four days, is now off until Sat., Jan. 22, when the Zias host TAMU-Kingsville in an LSC South contest. Tipoff is at 6:00 p.m. (MST).