Athletic Report
February 10, 2001

ENMU STRUGGLES IN FIRST HALF, FALLS
TO TAMU-COMMERCE, 63-53
COMMERCE, TX — Eastern New Mexico University converted just 5 of 22 field goals (22.7%) in the first half against Texas A&M University-Commerce, on Saturday, Feb. 10. As a result, ENMU trailed 29-16 at the break, and A&M-C went on to defeat the Zias, 63-53, in a Lone Star Conference game. T

he win was the Lions’ 4th in a row and improved A&M-C to 9-14 overall, including 6-4 in the LSC South. ENMU dropped to 7-13, 3-6 in the LSC South.

TAMU-Commerce held a slim lead, 16-14 with 6:05 left in the first half, but the Lions reeled off 13 straight points for a 29-14 advantage. Eastern’s Breanne Baker (Sr., Post, Sudan, TX/Sudan H.S.) ended the drought by sinking two free throws with 40 seconds left in the half.

The Zias went on a 9-3 run at the start of the second stanza, cutting the A&M-C lead to seven points, 32-25. ENMU also got within seven points three more times, the last at 48-41 following a 3-pointer by Katheryne Hickman (Sr., F, San Antonio, TX/Castle Hills Baptist H.S.) with 7:19 remaining. ENMU was unable to get closer, however, as the Lions sank 9 of 12 free throws the rest of the game to protect their lead.

Tarshanda Ferguson led TAMU-Commerce with 19 points. She also grabbed 8 rebounds. Amy Putman provided 11 points and 10 boards, while Summer Sparnon, added 8 points and 7 rebounds. The Lions sank 26 of 35 free throws, and earned a 42-37 edge on the boards.

Brandi Bates (Sr., G/F, Plainview, TX/Plainview H.S.) topped ENMU’s scoring chart with 19 points. She also grabbed 4 rebounds, recorded 2 assists and connected on 3 of 3 three-point shots.

Hickman tallied 13 points and hauled down 12 boards. She improved her career scoring total to 1,142 points and remained 7th all-time at ENMU. She needs 47 additional points to catch Barbara Nickols (1980-84) in 6th place with 1,189 points.

Lenni Hartley (Sr., G/F, Roy, NM/Roy H.S.) produced 5 points and 5 rebounds for the Zias. Lisa Rollins (Sr., Post, Fort Worth, TX/Weatherford College) earned 6 rebounds. TAMU-Commerce shot 36.2% (17 of 47) for the game. Eastern New Mexico finished 14 of 52 from the field (26.9%). The Zias were 9 of 30 (30.0%) in the second half.

ENMU returns home to take on Angelo State in an LSC South game on Thursday, Feb. 15. Tipoff at Greyhound Arena is set for 6:00 p.m. (MST). The Zias will also play at home on Feb. 17 against Abilene Christian and on Feb. 20 against West Texas A&M.