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ENMU arrow Athletics arrow News arrow Press Releases arrow 2002 Archive arrow 12/30 Lubbock Christian Builds 15-Point Halftime Lead, Holds Off Zias in Second Half for 69-65 Win
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Lubbock Christian Builds 15-Point Halftime Lead, Holds Off Zias in Second Half for 69-65 Win

PORTALES, NM – Lubbock Christian University forced Eastern New Mexico
University into 29.0% shooting and 15 turnovers in the first half, as the Lady Chaparrals took a 35-20 halftime lead, then hung on during the final minutes for a 69-65 win over the Zias, Dec. 30 at Greyhound Arena. The Zias, who shot 47.4% in the second half, tied the game at 48-48 and trailed just 67-65 with 11 seconds remaining.

LCU improved to 6-4 on the season. ENMU fell to 2-5, with three of the losses by four points or less.

The Lady Chaps shot just 37.9% in the first half, but hit five of nine three-pointers and converted all eight of their free throws. The Lady Chaps committed only nine first half turnovers. Meanwhile, LCU limited ENMU to nine of 31 field goals (1 of 5 three-pointers) in the first period. Eastern hit just one of four free throws in the first half.

ENMU trailed 8-2, but went on a 5-0 run to cut the deficit to 8-7 at the 15:46 mark of the first half. LCU countered with a 4-0 run, and led by five to nine points most of period. The Lady Chaps were in front 21-16 with 6:42 remaining in the half, but scored the next eight points for a 29-16 advantage at the 4:49 mark. ENMU never got closer than 11 points the rest of the half.

The Zias regrouped at halftime and played with more intensity and accuracy over the final 20 minutes. ENMU converted 18 of 38 field goals and 7 of 8 free throws in the second half. The Zias also controlled the ball more effectively in the final stanza, as ENMU committed 9 turnovers and forced 13 turnovers by LCU.

Eastern trailed 44-30 with 16:16 left, after Shelbye Williams sank a 3-pointer for LCU. The Zias then went on an 18-4 run for a 48-48 tie with 10:47 to go. Elizabeth Richards (Fr., F, Texico, NM/Texico HS) scored nine points during the run, while Juliana Morrison (Jr., F, Amarillo, TX/Palo Duro HS) started the run with a layup and completed the rally with a 3-pointer.

LCU scored the next 10 points for a 58-48 lead at the 7:00 mark, only to have Eastern respond with an 11-2 run that cut the lead to a single point, 60-59, with 2:55 left. Tia Doss (So., Post, Albuquerque, NM/Highland HS) tallied seven points during the Zias’ run.

The Lady Chaps remained in front the rest of the game, but saw a 67-61 lead at the 0:41 mark reduced to a 67-65 margin with 11 seconds on the clock. Lacy Lee (So., G, Portales, NM/Portales HS) recorded an offensive rebound with 31 seconds left for ENMU, then hit two free throws when she was fouled by LCU’s D’Nae Wilson four seconds later. Lee added a defensive rebound with 17 seconds left, after Tabitha Qubty-Sellers missed a pair of free throws. Lee drove the length of the court and put in a layup for Eastern’s final basket. LCU sealed the win with two charity shots by Qubty-Sellers with 10 seconds to go.

Williams led all players with 21 points for LCU. She connected on six of 12 shots from the field, including four of six three-pointers. She also supplied the Lady Chaps with seven rebounds and two assists.

Candace Clenney added 13 points and eight rebounds for Lubbock Christian. She also earned three assists and two steals. Cari Bigham contributed 11 points for the Lady Chaps, while Wilson registered five assists.

For ENMU, Richards led the way with 13 point and eight rebounds. Morrison supplied 10 points, six rebounds and four assists. Lee finished the game with eight points, and led all players with nine rebounds and nine assists.

The Zias shot 39.1% for the game (27 of 69), while LCU converted 35.7% of its field goals (20 of 56). The Lady Chaps were successful on eight of 21 three-pointers. ENMU hit on three of 12 shots from behind the arc. ENMU owned a 42-40 rebounding margin, but LCU sank 21 of 29 free throws, while the Zias went eight of 12 at the charity stripe.

Eastern will play the second game in a three-game homestand on Thursday, Jan. 2, when the Zias host the University of Central Oklahoma. Tip-off at Greyhound Arena is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. (MST). The Zias are slated to complete the homestand on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 2 p.m. (MST) against Northeastern State University.

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