Athletic Report
January 25, 2001

TSU RALLIES FOR 49-43 WIN OVER ENMU
PORTALES, NM — Tarleton State University limited Eastern New Mexico University to 11 points in the second half, as the TexAnns overcame a 32-22 halftime deficit and defeated the Zias, 49-43, in a Lone Star Conference game.

TSU improved to 5-10 overall and 2-1 in the LSC South with the win. ENMU dropped to 5-10 on the season, including 1-3 in the LSC South.

TSU opened the second half with a 14-1 run for a 36-33 lead with 11:42 left in the game. ENMU never regained the lead, but remained close throughout the second half.

Katheryne Hickman (Sr., F, San Antonio, TX/Castle Hills Baptist H.S.) hit a 3-pointer for ENMU with 50 seconds left to cut TSU’s margin to three points, 46-43, but the Zias were unable to score on their final three possessions.

The TexAnns sank 3 of 4 free throws in the final 16 seconds to secure the win. ENMU built its 10-point halftime lead by outscoring Tarleton State 12-3 over the final 4:02 of the opening stanza.

Hickman, who finished with a team-high 20 points, scored 14 points in the first half. For the game, she was 7 of 12 from the floor, including 5 of 7 on three-point shots. Hickman finished the game with 1,038 career points. Her performance against the TexAnns moved her into 9th place on ENMU’s all-time scoring list. She trails Amanda Mendez Hewitt (1996-00) by 24 points for 8th place in career scoring for the Zias.

Joining Hickman in double figures for ENMU was Sharon Max (Sr., G/F, Fruitland, NM/ Kirtland Central H.S.), who scored 14 points. Max recorded 12 of her points in the first half.

Hickman led the Zias with 9 rebounds, and Breanne Baker (Sr., P/F, Sudan, TX/Sudan H.S.) added 6 rebounds. Jody Avent (Sr., G, Stinnett, TX/South Plains Coll.) hauled down 5 boards.

TSU received 20 points from Misty Wilson. No other TexAnn reached double figures, with Leah Whatley providing the second-highest total with 7 points. Bianca Francoeur grabbed 9 boards and Lonia Garner added 7 boards, as TSU tied ENMU for the rebounding lead, 41-41.

ENMU limited TSU to 27.8% shooting for the game (15 of 54). The TexAnns, however, sank 15 of 23 free throws, while ENMU converted 3 of 6 at the line. The Zias shot 44.4% in the first half (12 of 27), but connected on just 4 of 25 shots (16.0%) in the second half.

The Zias remain at home on Saturday, Jan. 27, for an LSC South game against Texas Woman’s University. Tipoff at Greyhound Arena is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (MST).