Athletic Report
November 26, 2001

JILL STOUT SCORES 21 POINTS AS ZIAS DEFEAT N.M. HIGHLANDS, 70-61
PORTALES, NM — Sophomore guard Jill Stout (Sudan, TX/Sudan H.S.) scored 21 points leading Eastern New Mexico University to a 70-61 victory over New Mexico Highlands University, Nov. 26 at Greyhound Arena.

ENMU improved to 1-2 on the season. It was the season opener for NMHU. Stout scored 12 points in the first half, as Eastern New Mexico built a 42-24 halftime lead. The Zias limited the Cowgirls to just 28.0% (7 of 25) shooting over the first 20 minutes. Eastern also forced Highlands into 13 first half turnovers.

NMHU opened the second half with a 12-2 run, cutting the lead to 44-36 at the 16:05 mark. Even so, the Cowgirls never got closer than seven points: 55-48 with 8:05 to go on a basket and free throw by Becky Gonzales, and 58-51 with 6:21 left on a 3-pointer by Patricia Vigil.

Meanwhile, Eastern’s second half scoring included 9 points by Stout and 8 points by redshirt freshman Tia Doss (F, Albuquerque, NM/Highland H.S.). Doss, a medical redshirt last season, finished the game with 14 points.Juliana Morrison (So., G/F, Amarillo, TX/Palo Duro H.S.) also scored 14 points, including 12 in the first half.

Stout, Doss and Morrison are the only returning players from the Zias’ 2000-01 team, which featured eight seniors. Stout was 8 of 15 from the field and 3 of 8 from 3-point range. She also supplied the Zias with 4 assists and 3 steals, while committing only 2 turnovers in 35 minutes played. Several other players contributed for ENMU.

Jenny Johnson (Fr., F/P, Jayton, TX/Jayton H.S.) grabbed 9 rebounds and scored 4 points in just 11 minutes. Valencia Rollins (Jr., G, Long Beach, CA/Western Wyoming College) added 7 rebounds, while Laci Lee (Fr., G, Portales, NM/Portales H.S.) and Loren Scarlett (Fr., P, Throckmorton, TX/Throckmorton H.S.) each produced 6 points.

The Cowgirls were paced by Vigil with 17 points on 7 of 13 shooting. Vigil also earned 5 assists and grabbed 4 rebounds. Gonzales added 16 points and a game-high 12 boards, while Kristal Upchurch connected for 15 points and 4 rebounds.

ENMU shot 42.0% from the floor (29 of 69), while NMHU sank 38.5% of its field goal attempts (20 of 52). The Cowgirls lost the ball 22 times, while ENMU committed 15 turnovers.

The Zias return to action on Saturday, Dec. 1, at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Tipoff in Weatherford, Okla., is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.