Sports Information |
Athletic
Report
TARLETON
STATE EDGES ENMU, 68-63, IN LSC SOUTH OPENER FOR THE ZIAS TSU led by seven points, 55-48, with 7:04 remaining in the game, following a 3-point shot by Kester. Eastern answered with a 3-pointer by Jill Stout (So., G, Sudan, TX/Sudan H.S.) and a pair of free throws by Laci Lee (Fr., G, Portales, NM/Portales H.S.) to cut the deficit to two points, 55-53, at the 6:16 mark. The score stayed close the rest of the game, but ENMU was never able to pull in front. The TexAnns held a slim 63-62 lead with 1:09 left, after Eastern’s Valencia Rollins (Jr., G, Long Beach, CA/Western Wyoming College) made the second of two free throws. Kelly McClennon connected on a layup with 48 seconds left, and Wilson hit one of two charity shots with 22 seconds remaining, as TSU increased its lead to 66-62. Stout was fouled while taking a 3-point shot for Eastern with five seconds left, but she missed the first two free throws before sinking her final attempt. Kester completed the scoring with two free throws for the TexAnns less than a second later. ENMU, which led most of the first half, held an 8-point lead, 22-14, with 5:57 left in the opening period. The TexAnns scored the next 10 points to take their first lead, 24-22, with 3:12 on the clock. Eastern scored six points in a row for a 28-24 advantage, but 3-pointers by Amber Brown and Kester helped TSU move in front, 30-29, with just 16 seconds left in the half. Stout gave ENMU a 32-30 lead at the intermission by hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer. The score was tied, 45-45, with 10:56 remaining in the game, before TSU scored seven straight points for a 52-45 advantage. Stout cut the deficit to four points, with a 3-point shot, but Kester’s 3-pointer at the 7:04 mark returned the TexAnns to a 7-point lead. Stout scored 14 points, grabbed 3 rebounds and earned 3 assists for the Zias. She was joined in double figures by Tia Doss (Fr., F, Albuquerque, NM/Highland H.S.), who scored 10 points and earned 2 assists. Lee contributed 9 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists, while Juliana Morrison (So., G/F, Amarillo, TX/Palo Duro H.S.) supplied 6 points, 8 rebounds and a team-high 5 assists. ENMU shot 45.1% (23 of 51) for the game, compared to 30.6% (22 of 72) for Tarleton State. The TexAnns, however, held a slim shooting advantage over the final 20 minutes (38.2% to 37.5%), outrebounded the Zias for the game, 44-42, and made just 17 turnovers. TSU’s 21 offensive boards and Eastern’s 25 turnovers helped the TexAnns take 21 more shots than ENMU. Wilson’s 19 points led the TexAnns. She also hauled down 4 rebounds and earned 3 steals. Redmon made important contributions for Tarleton State with her 16 points, a game-high 17 rebounds and 2 steals. Kester not only added 16 points, but also provided 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.TSU recorded 12 steals overall. The Zias remain on the road for another LSC South game on Saturday, Jan. 19, when ENMU takes on Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. Game time is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (MST). ENMU will then play at New Mexico Highlands University at 6:00 p.m. (MST) on Tuesday, Jan. 22, before returning to Portales, N.M. for a five-game homestand from Jan. 24 through Feb. 2. |