Athletic Report
January 3, 2002

CENTRAL OKLAHOMA HITS 10 THREE-POINTERS IN 62-53 WIN OVER EASTERN NEW MEXICO
EDMOND, OK – The University of Central Oklahoma hit 10 three-pointers, including six by Julie Metheny, as the Lady Bronchos defeated Eastern New Mexico University, 62-53, in a Lone Star Conference crossover game, Jan. 3 in Edmond, Okla. UCO upped its record to 8-3 on the season. Eastern New Mexico dropped to 1-6. Crossover games do not count in the LSC divisional standings.

ENMU trailed by nine points, 31-22, with 2:34 left in the first half, but cut the margin to 34-31 at the intermission. Jennifer Doherty (Fr., F, Georgetown, TX/Georgetown H.S.) scored 4 points and Monica Trimble (Jr., F, Amarillo, TX/South Plains College) added 3 points during Eastern’s 9-3 run to close the half.

A 3-pointer by Juliana Morrison (So., G/F, Amarillo, TX/Palo Duro H.S.) with 16:40 left in the game tied the score, 36-36. UCO held a slim, 39-38 lead with 15:22 left, but the Lady Bronchos went on a 10-0 run to take a 49-38 advantage at the 12:08 mark. Metheny scored 9 of the 10 points during the run on three 3-point shots. The Zias recorded the next 9 points to pull within a single basket, 49-47, with 5:15 left.

UCO, which went more than eight minutes without scoring, recovered with a 3-pointer by Metheny as the Lady Bronchos increased their lead to 52-47 with 3:42 on the clock. After Ami Guffy added another 3-pointer with 2:54 remaining, UCO led 55-47. The Lady Bronchos remained in front the rest of the way. The Zias finished with only six points in the final 5:15, on 4 of 8 free throws, plus a jumper by Morrison with five seconds left.

Metheny was the game’s top scorer, with 21 points. Keri Smith contributed 15 points and 5 rebounds for UCO, while Guffy finished with 9 points and 7 rebounds. Tawni Meek supplied 4 points to go with 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals.

Trimble led Eastern with 15 points and 7 rebounds. Laci Lee (Fr., G, Portales, NM/Portales H.S.) tacked on 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. She was 3 for 5 from the field and 4 for 4 at the free throw line. Morrison tallied 9 points, while Tia Doss (Fr., F, Albuquerque, NM/Highland H.S.) and Jenny Johnson (Fr., F/Post, Jayton, TX/Jayton H.S.) each hauled down 5 rebounds.

Both teams connected for 17 field goals, but UCO sank 10 of 29 three-pointers, while ENMU made just 4 of 9 three-point tries. UCO also converted 18 of 27 free throws, compared to 15 of 23 charity shots by the Zias. ENMU held a 41-31 rebounding margin, but made 25 turnovers. The Lady Bronchos lost the ball 17 times and registered 10 steals.

ENMU remains on the road for another LSC crossover game on Saturday, Jan. 5, as the Zias take on Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla. Game time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. (MST). The Zias will play consecutive crossover games at home against Southeastern Oklahoma State University on Thursday, Jan. 10 (6:00 p.m. MST) and against East Central University on Saturday, Jan. 12 (6:00 p.m. MST).