Athletic Report
February 8, 2001

ZIAS DEFEAT 11TH-RANKED KINGSVILLE, 72-69
Hickman Breaks Tie on Free Throw with 6.7 Seconds Left
KINGSVILLE, TX — Senior forward Katheryne Hickman (San Antonio, TX/Castle Hills Baptist H.S.) sank the second of two free throws with 6.7 seconds left, breaking a 69-69 tie and sending Eastern New Mexico University on its way to a 72-69 upset of 11th-ranked Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Feb. 8 in Kingsville, Texas.

ENMU, which lost to the Javelinas 60-56 at Greyhound Arena, Feb. 3, improved to 7-12 overall and 3-5 in the Lone Star Conference South Division. TAMU-Kingsville fell to 20-4, 7-2 in the LSC South. The victory was ENMU’s first on the Javelinas’ home floor since January 23, 1993, when TAMU-Kingsville was still known at Texas A&I. The Zias won that game, 94-51, and went on to claim the LSC regular season title. This year’s trip to Kingsville ended the string of 7 consecutive road losses to the Javelinas.

Hickman’s free throw capped a miraculous comeback that saw the Zias overcome an 18-point first half deficit. The Zias trailed, 24-6, with 11:47 left in the opening period, but cut the margin to 13 points, 42-29, at the intermission.

ENMU, which shot just 23.1% (6 of 26) in the first half, converted 14 of 31 (45.2%) field goals in the second half, including 4 of 8 three-pointers. TAMU-Kingsville’s second half matched ENMU’s first half, as the Javelinas connected on an identical 6 of 26 field goals. The Javelinas earlier gained their big first half advantage by sinking 16 of 32 (50.0%) from the field.

After Hickman gave ENMU a 70-69 lead, the Zias called time-out. When play resumed, TAMU-Kingsville brought the ball quickly down the floor. Arie Wilson eventually received the ball inside the free throw lane, and moved toward the goal. She was indecisive regarding whether to shoot or pass, and was called for traveling with 1.1 seconds left.

Eastern’s Breanne Baker (Sr., Post, Sudan, TX/Sudan H.S.) was fouled after catching the in-bounds pass. She sank both free throws with 0.4 seconds remaining to give ENMU the final 72-69 margin.

TAMU-Kingsville was unable to get a final shot. Hickman led all players with 28 points. She entered the game averaging 17.0 points per game, including a 21.6 average in LSC play. She increased her career scoring to 1,129 points, and moved past Teresa Ramos (1,109 points; 1988-92) into 7th place all-time at ENMU.

Against TAMU-Kingsville, Hickman was 8 of 17 from the field, sank 10 of 12 charity shots, and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds. Brandi Bates (Sr., G/F, Plainview, TX/Plainview H.S.) also reached double figures, providing the Zias with 13 points and 6 rebounds.

Starting point guard Jody Avent (Sr., Stinnett, TX/South Plains College) scored 9 points, but committed 4 fouls. Back-up guard Jennifer Dvorak (Sr., San Antonio, TX/Madison H.S.) supplied 5 assists, 1 steal and no turnovers in 22 minutes played.

TAMU-Kingsville received 25 points and 11 rebounds from Precious Thibodeaux, who cut a 4-point deficit late in the game to two points, by sinking a pair of free throws with 49 seconds left. Thibodeaux also blocked 3 shots. Pat Lewandowski added 12 points, and tied the game, 69-69, by converting two free throws with 20 seconds on the clock. Thibodeaux and Lewandowski were joined in double figures by Colter Mize and Wilson, with 11 points each.

Eastern New Mexico achieved a 43-41 edge on the boards. The Zias also made 28 of 37 free throws (75.7%), including 10 of 12 by Hickman. The Javelinas converted 20 of 29 free throws.

The Zias remain on the road on Saturday, Feb. 10, when they will play at Texas A&M-Commerce. Tipoff in Commerce, Texas, is set for 3:00 p.m. The Lions defeated ENMU, 77-53, at Greyhound Arena on Feb. 1.