Athletic Report
February 17, 2001

HICKMAN SCORES CAREER-HIGH 35 POINTS AS ZIAS RALLY PAST WILDCATS, 59-53
Standout Performance is Two Points Short of ENMU Record
PORTALES, NM — Senior forward Katheryne Hickman (San Antonio, TX/Castle Hills Baptist H.S.) scored a career-high 35 points, including 5 of 9 three-pointers, to lead Eastern New Mexico University to a come-from-behind, 59-53 victory, over Abilene Christian University, Feb. 17 at Greyhound Arena.

The Lone Star Conference win improved ENMU to 8-14 on the season, 4-7 in the LSC South. ACU dropped to 9-17 overall, 4-8 in the LSC South.

Hickman’s scoring barrage finished two points short of the ENMU record of 37, set by Robin Bradley against Schreiner College on Nov. 21, 1986. Hickman’s performance against Abilene Christian broke her previous personal high of 30 points, achieved earlier this season in a 68-56 loss at West Texas A&M University on Jan. 23. Hickman scored 16 points and hauled down 6 rebounds in the first half against ACU, as the Zias built a 27-19 halftime lead.

The Zias connected on 12 of 31 first half field goals (38.7%), including 7 of 11 by Hickman. ACU was 8 of 25 (32.0%) shooting over the first 20 minutes. ENMU senior Brandi Bates (G/F, Plainview, TX/ Plainview H.S.) suffered an ankle injury just two minutes into the second half, and was unable to return to the game.

Abilene Christian, which trailed 29-21 at the time, scored 11 unanswered points, for a 32-29 lead with 15:03 left. Hickman tied the game at 32-32 with a 3-pointer at the 13:42 mark. ACU regained the lead less than a minute later on a free throw by Sara McBroom, and remained in front until Hickman nailed another three-pointer to force a 39-39 tie with 8:11 remaining.

The basket by Hickman came in the middle of a 9-0 run by ENMU. After tying the game, the Zias added a layup by Breanne Baker (Sr., Post, Sudan, TX/Sudan H.S.) and another 3-pointer by Hickman to complete the run and take a 44-39 lead. ENMU led by six points, 47-41, with 6:54 remaining, but ACU went on a 9-0 run of its own to take a 50-47 lead with 5:24 on the clock.

ENMU took a brief lead, 51-50, on a pair of free throws by Sharon Max (Sr., G/F, Fruitland, NM/Kirtland Central H.S.) with 2:48 left. ACU led 53-51 on a 3-pointer by Kristi Taylor at the 2:21 mark.

Six seconds later, Hickman made her final 3-point basket of the game to give the Zias a 54-53 advantage. She added a conventional 3-point play on a layup and foul shot with 1:08 remaining, then closed out the scoring with a last second jump shot.

In addition to her scoring barrage, Hickman contributed 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Max added 9 points, while Bates contributed 6 points prior to her injury. Jody Avent (Sr., G, Stinnett, TX/South Plains College) provided 4 points, 5 assists and 3 steals.

ENMU concludes its three-game homestand on Tuesday, Feb. 20, against arch rival West Texas A&M. Tipoff at Greyhound Arena is slated for 6:00 p.m. (MST). Eastern’s game against WTAMU will be the final home game for eight seniors.