Athletic Report
February 3, 2001

DEFENDING LSC CHAMPION TAMU-KINGSVILLE EDGES ZIAS IN FINAL MINUTE
PORTALES, NM — Precious Thibodeaux of Texas A&M University-Kingsville grabbed back-to-back offensive rebounds, then scored with 0:26 remaining, as the Javelinas, ranked #11 in NCAA Division II, slipped past Eastern New Mexico University, 60-56, Feb. 3 at Greyhound Arena.

The Lone Star Conference victory improved the Javelinas to 20-3 overall and to 7-1 in the LSC South. ENMU, which rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to force the exciting finish, dropped to 6-12 overall, 2-5 in the LSC South.

TAMU-Kingsville built a 35-25 halftime advantage by forcing 13 ENMU turnovers and hitting 4 of 8 three-point shots. The Zias led 15-9 with 11:42 remaining in the half, but the Javelinas countered with a 12-0 run to move in front, 21-15.

Thibodeaux, who led TAMUK with 12 points during the game, scored eight in the first half. The Zias never took the lead in the second half, but pulled within a single point, 37-36, on a 3-pointer by Sharon Max (Sr., G/F, Fruitland, NM/Kirtland Central H.S.) with 14:52 left.

TAMU-Kingsville extended its lead to seven points, 48-41 with 8:41 to go, only to have ENMU cut the lead to one with a 7-0 run. ENMU trailed by just a single point two more times, before senior forward Katheryne Hickman (San Antonio, TX/Castle Hills Baptist H.S.) tied the game, 56-56, on a 3-pointer with 0:46 remaining.

On Kingsville’s next possession, Arie Wilson and Thibodeaux each missed jumpers, but Thibodeaux rebounded the ball both times, and scored following the second carom to give TAMU-Kingsville the lead. With 13 seconds left, ENMU called timeout to set up a final play.

Brandi Bates (Sr., G/F, Plainview, TX/Plainview H.S.) found an open lane from the three-point arc to the basket, but her layup bounced hard of the glass and was rebounded by Thibodeaux. Lori Martinez of TAMUK converted a pair of free-throws with less than a second remaining to create the final 4-point margin.

In addition to scoring 12 points, Thibodeaux also grabbed 12 rebounds. Ashley White provided 10 points for the Javelinas, while Wilson contributed 8 points, 12 boards and 5 assists. TAMUK shot 30.2% (19 of 63), including 25.0% in the second half (8 of 32), but the Javelinas connected on 7 of 17 three-pointers (41.2%). ENMU shot 30.0% (15 of 50).

The Zias converted 22 of 28 free throws to offset 4 of 14 shooting from behind the arc. Hickman led the team with 19 points, giving her 1,101 career points. She is currently 8th on Eastern’s all-time scoring list, and needs just eight points to reach Teresa Ramos (1988-92) in 7th with 1,109 points.

Jody Avent (Sr., G, Stinnett, TX/South Plains College) added 14 points for the Zias. She was 3 of 5 on field goals, and sank 7 of 8 free throws. Lisa Rollins (Sr., Post, Fort Worth, TX/ Weatherford College) scored 5 points and grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds.

The Zias and the Javelinas will battle each other again on Thursday, Feb. 8, in Kingsville, Texas. Tipoff for the LSC South game is slated for 4:30 p.m. (MST).