Athletic Report
January 6, 2001

NORTHEASTERN STATE EDGES ENMU, 70-67
Hickman Scores 18 Points, Grabs 11 Rebounds for Zias
PORTALES, NM — Northeastern State University received 21 points from Lawanna Allen, as the visiting Lady Reds defeated Eastern New Mexico University, 70-67, Jan. 6 at Greyhound Arena. NSU improved to 8-4 with its victory in the Lone Star Conference crossover game, while ENMU fell to 4-5 with the loss. Crossover games do not count in the LSC divisional standings.

ENMU led by six points, 38-32, at the half, and held an eight-point lead, 48-40, with 16:10 left in the game. Northeastern State rallied, tying the game 56-56 with 6:24 on the clock. The Lady Reds were in front, 70-63, with just 50 seconds left.

The Zias pulled within four points when Katheryne Hickman (Sr., F, San Antonio, TX/ Castle Hills Baptist H.S.) connected on a 3-pointer at the 0:46 mark. Brandi Bates (Sr., G/F, Plainview, TX/Plainview H.S.) cut the deficit to three points, 70-67, with 18 seconds to go, as she sank the first of two free throws.

With 10 seconds remaining, Allen missed the front end of a one-and-one and Hickman rebounded the ball for ENMU. The Zias called timeout with 7.8 seconds left to set up their final play. A 3-point attempt by Jill Stout (Fr., G, Sudan, TX/Sudan H.S.) missed with three seconds to go, as NSU escaped with the win.

Hickman played a solid game for the Zias. She scored 18 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and was 7 of 10 from the field (4 of 5 on 3-pointers). She also recorded a steal and made just 1 turnover in 32 minutes played. Bates added 13 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists for ENMU. She was 5 of 6 on field goal attempts. Breanne Baker (Sr., P/F, Sudan, TX/Sudan H.S.) contributed 7 points and 9 rebounds. Lisa Rollins (Sr., P, Fort Worth, TX/Weatherford College) also scored 7 points.

Allen converted 9 of 14 field goals for NSU to record her game-high 21 points. She was 3 of 4 on 3-pointers, and also earned 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Melissa Fullmer supplied 15 points and 6 boards, while Tonya Douglas produced 12 points. Jalila Darez scored 10 points to go with 7 rebounds.

ENMU’s next game is at Southeastern Oklahoma State University on Thursday, Jan. 11, in Durant, Okla. Tipoff for the LSC crossover game is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. (MST).