Athletic Report
January 18, 2001

ZIAS WIN AT ACU, 71-59
Hickman Scores 21 as Zias Open LSC South Action
ABILENE, TX — Katheryne Hickman (Sr., F, San Antonio, TX/Castle Hills Baptist H.S.) scored 21 points for Eastern New Mexico University, as the visiting Zias defeated Abilene Christian University, 71-59, Jan. 18 at Moody Coliseum in Abilene, Texas.

ENMU’s win in the Lone Star Conference South Division opener for both squads improved the Zias to 5-7 on the season (1-0 LSC South). Abilene Christian dropped to 5-10 (0-1 LSC South).

ENMU trailed 18-8 early in the game, but rallied to take a 33-30 halftime lead. The Zias pulled away over the first 13 minutes of the second half, building a 17-point lead. ACU got closer in the final minutes, but never cut the lead to single digits.

On her way to leading all players with 21 points, Hickman connected on 8 of 10 field goals, including 3 of 3 three-pointers. She also grabbed 4 rebounds for the Zias. Sharon Max (Sr., G/F, Fruitland, NM/Kirtland Central H.S.) added 17 points, 3 assists and 2 steals. Senior point guard Jody Avent (Stinnett, TX/South Plains College) provided 8 points, and led both teams with 6 assists and 4 steals.

ACU’s top scorer was Jackie Vinson, with 13 points. Shara Helmbeck and Melanie Carter each supplied 11 points for the Wildcats. Carter also grabbed 6 rebounds and recorded 3 assists.

ENMU forced ACU into 25 turnovers, with the Zias earning 11 steals. ENMU shot a season-high 57.4% from the floor (27 of 47). The Zias limited the Wildcats to 43.6% for the game (17 of 39). ENMU also outshot ACU from three-point range, with the Zias hitting 7 of 14 long-range shots, while the Wildcats converted just 5 of 19.

The victory was the Zias’ first at Abilene Christian since the 1992-93 season, when ENMU defeated ACU, 88-64 (Feb. 6, 1993). ENMU went on to win the LSC regular season title that year, and finished 23-5 overall.

Eastern remains on the road on Saturday, Feb. 20, for an LSC South road game at Angelo State University. Tipoff in San Angelo, Texas, is set for 5:00 p.m. (MST).