Athletic Report
February 24, 2000 (3/7)

ENMU IMPROVES TO 17-8 OVERALL WITH A 68-53 VICTORY OVER TAMU-COMMERCE
Zias Clinch 3rd Place in LSC South
PORTALES, NM — Junior forward Katheryne Hickman (San Antonio, TX/Castle Hills Baptist H.S.) scored a game-high 15 points and added 8 rebounds to lead Eastern New Mexico University to a 68-53 victory over visiting Texas A&M University-Commerce, Feb. 24 at Greyhound Arena.

With the win, ENMU improved to 17-8 overall. The Zias also clinched a third place finish in the Lone Star Conference South Division (10-5) with one game remaining. TAMU- Commerce fell to 3-22, 2-13 in the LSC South.

The Zias held the Lions to 18.2% shooting (4 of 22) in the first half, while building a 35-15 halftime lead. Hickman scored 7 points in the first 20 minutes, while Jody Avent (Jr., G, Stinnett, TX/ South Plains College) and Lisa Rollins (Jr., Post, Fort Worth, TX/Weatherford College) each added 6 points.

The Zias also forced 13 first-half turnovers by TAMU-Commerce. TAMUC opened the second half with a 20-11 run to pull within 11 points at 46-35 with 9:13 remaining in the game. The Lions cut the deficit to 9 points, 55-46, with 4:55 remaining, but ENMU answered with a 5-0 run to rebuild the lead to 14 points.

Hickman was 7 of 13 from the field, and committed just 1 turnover in 29 minutes. Avent provided 12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Brandi Bates (Jr., G/F, Plainview, TX/ Plainview H.S.) chipped in 11 points, 3 assists and 2 steals. Rollins and Jenny Conaway (Sr., Post, Midland, TX/South Plains College) added 8 points and 5 boards apiece.

Jessica Timbrell finished with 13 points and 11 boards for TAMU-Commerce. Mary Watson connected for 11 points and 4 assists, while Mandy Benton supplied 8 points and 5 rebounds.

The Zias will conclude the regular season on Sat., Feb. 26 with an LSC South home game against Texas Woman’s University. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at Greyhound Arena.

ENMU has already clinched an LSC Tournament berth, and will play at the #2 finisher in the North Division on Tues., Feb. 29. First round winners will meet for the semifinals and the championship game at the site of the highest remaining South Division team, Mar. 3-4. Pairings will not be available until after games on Saturday.

Southeastern Oklahoma (9-4), Ouachita Baptist (8-5), Northeastern State (8-5), East Central (7-6) are still battling for the top two spots in the North Division. Four teams from each division will qualify for the tournament.