Athletic Report
January 27, 2001

ZIAS OVERCOME EARLY 17-POINT DEFICIT TO DEFEAT TEXAS WOMAN’S, 70-61
Eastern Sets School Record with 12 Three-Pointers
PORTALES, NM — Eastern New Mexico University fell behind 28-11 in the first 14:52 against Texas Woman’s University, but rallied for a 70-61 Lone Star Conference victory at Greyhound Arena, Saturday, Jan. 27.

The win improved ENMU to 6-10 overall and 2-3 in the LSC South. Texas Woman’s lost for the sixth consecutive game, as the Pioneers dropped to 1-15, including 0-4 in the LSC South.

During the game, Eastern New Mexico recorded 12 three-point shots to set a school record. The previous record of 11 was set twice during the 1992-93 season in games against Cameron and Central Oklahoma.

ENMU’s three-pointers against TWU came from 7 different players, including 4 by Katheryne Hickman (Sr., F/P, San Antonio, TX/Castle Hills Baptist H.S.) and 3 by Sharon Max (Sr., G/F, Fruitland, NM/Kirtland Central H.S.).

ENMU struggled early in the game, hitting just two of its first 18 shots. The Zias led at one point 6-0, but a 26-3 run by TWU gave the Pioneers a 26-9 advantage. After the teams exchanged baskets, the Zias switched to a full-court press, and began to reduce their 17-point deficit.

The Pioneers committed 19 first-half turnovers — seven in the final five minutes — helping Eastern end the stanza with a 14-3 run that cut TWU’s lead to 31-25.

The Zias, who shot just 17.1% (6 of 35) in the first half, connected on 40.7% of their field goals during the final 20 minutes. Meanwhile, Texas Woman’s slipped from 62.5% shooting in the first period (10 of 16) to 36.8% (7 of 19) in the second half.

ENMU took its first lead of the second half, 35-33, with 15:13 remaining, on a 3-pointer by Jody Avent (Sr., G, Stinnett, TX/South Plains College). TWU led 38-35 with 13:44 left, but the Zias answered with an 8-0 run for a 43-38 advantage at the 11:14 mark. Eastern’s run included three-pointers by Lenny Hartley (Sr., G/F, Roy, NM/Roy H.S.) and Juliana Morrison (Fr., G/F, Amarillo, TX/Palo Duro H.S.). Hickman completed the run with a layup. The deficit was cut by TWU to just one point, 43-42, less than a minute later, but the Pioneers never regained the lead.

ENMU went on another run, scoring 10 straight points to take a 52-42 lead with 8:49 left. The Zias led by at least 6 points the rest of the game.

Hickman scored 18 points to lead the ENMU attack. She also grabbed 5 rebounds, provided 2 assists and earned 2 steals. Avent added 17 points and was 12 for 12 at the line. Max also finished in double figures, scoring 13 points. Overall, nine players scored for the Zias.

Jennifer Hall scored 18 points and registered 9 boards to pace Texas Woman’s. Wendy Bartlett tallied 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals. Julie Murphy scored 10 points, controlled a game-high 12 boards and dished out 4 assists.

The Pioneers achieved a 42-28 rebounding edge, but committed 30 turnovers. ENMU turned the ball over just 11 times.

The Zias remain at home for their next two games, starting with an LSC South battle against Texas A&M-Commerce on Thursday, Feb. 1. ENMU will host Texas A&M-Kingsville in another LSC match-up on Saturday, Feb. 3. Game time both nights is set for 6:00 p.m. (MST).