Athletic Report
February 12, 2000 (3/3)

ZIAS FALL TO LADY BUFFS, 65-58
CANYON, TX — West Texas A&M University forced 21 Eastern New Mexico University turnovers, as the Lady Buffs improved to 19-4 overall with a 65-58 victory over the Zias, Feb. 12 in Canyon, Texas.

West Texas A&M also improved to 11-2 in the Lone Star Conference South Division. ENMU fell to 15-7 overall and to 8-4 in the LSC South.

Eastern New Mexico’s 8-game winning streak came to an end. The streak began after the Zias lost to West Texas A&M, 65-46, on Jan. 15. It included seven LSC South Division games plus a non-conference game against Oklahoma Panhandle State. In the rematch at West Texas, the Zias led 14-9 early in the game, but the Lady Buffs rallied for a 28-18 lead with 7:13 remaining in the half.

ENMU also launched a comeback, and led 32-31. Valeree Valdez scored the final points of the half to give WTAMU a 33-32 advantage at the break. The Zias trailed just 45-44 with 11:32 left in the game, but West Texas went on a 10-1 run to build a 10-point lead, 55-45.

ENMU pulled back within four points, 62-58, with 59 seconds left, on a 3-pointer by Katheryne Hickman (Jr., Forward, San Antonio, TX/Castle Hills Baptist H.S.). WTAMU made just 3 of 6 free throws the rest of the way, but ENMU did not score again, as the Lady Buffs claimed the victory.

Latraica Spencer led all scorers with 19 points for West Texas A&M. She also grabbed 8 rebounds and had 2 steals. Valdez contributed 15 points and 4 steals for the Lady Buffs. Stefanie Kawasaki scored 10 points for WTAMU.

Brandi Bates (Jr., G/F, Plainveiw, TX/Plainview H.S.) topped the Zias with 14 points. Hickman and junior guard Jody Avent (Jr., G, Stinnett, TX/South Plains College) each scored 11 points. Junior post player Bobbie Wallin (Moriarty, NM/Moriarty H.S.) added 9 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Hickman added 8 rebounds for ENMU, as the Zias finished with a 40-34 rebounding edge.

The Zias committed 12 of their 21 turnovers in the second half. West Texas A&M made 6 of its 11 turnovers over the final 20 minutes. West Texas shot 39.6% (21 of 53), while limiting Eastern New Mexico to 35.4% (17 of 48).

ENMU plays again on Feb. 14, when the Zias host Midwestern State University in an LSC South contest. Game time at Greyhound Arena is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (MST).