Athletic Report
Jan 22, 2000

ZIAS DEFEAT LADY JAVELINAS, 69-66
TAMU-Kingsville Suffers First LSC Loss
PORTALES, NM — Eastern New Mexico University’s Brandi Bates (Jr., G/F, Plainview, TX/Plainview H.S.) scored on a layup with 1:01 remaining, to break a 63-63 tie and send the Zias to a 69-66 Lone Star Conference victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville, Jan. 22 at Greyhound Arena.

The win was the third in a row for the Zias, who improved to 10-6 overall, 4-3 in the LSC South. TAMU-Kingsville lost an LSC South Division game for the first time this season, and fell to 12-6 overall and to 7-1 in the conference.

Bates not only provided the go-ahead basket, but also secured the win by sinking 4 of 4 free throws in the final 37 seconds. ENMU took a 67-63 lead on her first pair of free throws, but the Lady Javelinas pulled within a point on a 3-pointer by Lorie Martinez with 0:17 left. Bates scored the game’s final two points on free throws with 0:13 remaining.

Eastern New Mexico trailed 9-2 early in the game, but led 34-27 at halftime. The Zias led 40-28 with 17:38 left in the second half, and held a 52-45 advantage with 7:09 remaining. TAMU-Kingsville took a one-point lead, 61-60, with 2:29 remaining on two free throws by Chaffani Ward.

Bates tied the game, 61-61, by sinking the second of two free throws with 2:22 left. TAMUK regained the lead, but Katheryne Hickman (Jr., Post, San Antonio, TX/Castle Hills Baptist H.S.) connected on a 14-foot jumper with 1:40 remaining to force a 63-63 tie and set up the exciting finish.

Missy Frazier (So., G, Levelland, TX/South Plains College) led the Zias in scoring with 17 points on 6 of 8 shooting (3 of 5 three-pointers). Bates added 16 points (10 of 11 at the line) and 4 assists. Hickman finished with 15 points.

The Zias earned a 36-31 rebounding margin, led by Jody Avent (Jr., G, Stinnett, TX/ South Plains College) and Amanda Hewitt (Sr., Post, San Antonio, TX/Madison H.S.) with 5 boards each. Avent also supplied 5 points, 5 assists and 3 steals.

Precious Thibodeaux of TAMU-Kingsville led all scorers with 19 points, and also grabbed a game-high 17 rebounds. Patricia Lewandowski provided 14 points and Martinez contributed 11 points for the Lady Javelinas.

ENMU returns to action on Thur., Jan. 27, when the Zias travel to Wichita Falls, Texas to play Midwestern State. Tip-off in the LSC game is set for 4:30 p.m. (MST).