Athletic Report
January 4, 2001

CENTRAL OKAHOMA SLIPS PAST ZIAS, 49-48
PORTALES, NM — The University of Central Oklahoma shot 58.3% (14 of 24) in the second half, as the Lady Bronchos rallied from a 25-14 deficit to defeat Eastern New Mexico University, 49-48, in a Lone Star Conference women’s basketball crossover game, Jan. 4 at Greyhound Arena.

UCO, from the LSC North, improved to 7-4, and ended ENMU’s three-game winning streak. The Zias, from the LSC South, fell to 4-4. Crossover games do not count in the LSC divisional standings.

Central Oklahoma’s hot second half enabled the Lady Bronchos to overcome a dismal first half in which UCO converted just 3 of 19 field goals (15.8%). UCO’s turnaround was led by reserve players Alyson McDermott and Keri Smith, who sank a combined 8 of 11 field goals during the second half.

ENMU led throughout the first half after opening the game with a 12-0 run. The Zias led 19-9 with 7:35 remaining in the half, and held a 22-11 lead at the 2:38 mark. Eastern was in front 25-14 at the intermission on the strength of a 3-pointer by Katheryne Hickman (Sr., F, San Antonio, TX/Castle Hills Baptist H.S.) as time expired.

The Zias, who shot 33.3% (10 of 30) in the first half, converted 31.6% (6 of 19) over the final 20 minutes. Even so, ENMU was in front 30-19 with 16:02 remaining.

UCO closed the game with a 30-18 run of its own. The Lady Bronchos cut the deficit to 30-27 by scoring 8 unanswered points, then took their first lead of the game, 33-32, on a layup by Smith with 10:09 to go. With 5:10 left, UCO’s Ami Guffy sank a 3-pointer to give the Lady Bronchos a 43-37 advantage.

Eastern rallied to tie the game, 43-43, at the 2:54 mark, on a pair of free throws by point guard Jody Avent (Sr., Stinnett, TX/South Plains College). The score was tied again, 47-47, after Tricia Doherty (Fr., F, Plano, TX/Plano East H.S.) hit a 3-pointer with 1:47 left. Neither team scored again until Smith made a layup with 0:45 left, giving UCO a slim 49-47 advantage.

Avent made the second of two free throws for ENMU with 0:22 remaining to cut the deficit to a single point. Tawni Meek of UCO missed two free throws at the 0:15 mark, giving ENMU a final possession, but the Zias turned the ball over with 3 seconds left.

Christie Massey led Central Oklahoma with 12 points. Smith added 11 points, and McDermott scored 10 points. Meek grabbed 8 rebounds, helping UCO claim a 38-31 edge in total rebounds.

Avent topped Eastern’s list of scorers with a game-high 13 points She also grabbed 5 rebounds and earned 3 steals. Sharon Max (Sr., G/F, Fruitland, NM/Kirtland Central H.S.) contributed 12 points, while Hickman scored 8 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Doherty finished with 5 points and a team-high 7 boards.

The Zias remain at home to take on Northeastern State University in an LSC crossover game on Saturday, Jan. 6. Tipoff at Greyhound Arena is set for 6:00 p.m. (MST).