Laci Lee Scores 27 Points (21 in First Half), As ENMU Defeats West Texas A&M, 76-57

PORTALES, NM - Junior guard Laci Lee (Portales, NM/Portales HS) scored a career-high 27 points, including 21 points in the first half, as Eastern New Mexico University defeated West Texas A&M University, 76-57, in the Lone Star Conference opener for both teams, Dec. 16 at Greyhound Arena. ENMU, which avenged a 75-54 loss at West Texas A&M in non-conference action on Nov. 29, improved to 4-4 on the season. WTAMU dropped to 5-2 overall.

The game was the home-opener for ENMU, which played its first seven games on the road. Eastern's four losses have been to teams with a combined 26-2 record through Dec. 14.

In the first meeting with WTAMU, Eastern trailed 43-20 at halftime, but outscored the Lady Buffs, 34-32, in the second half. In the rematch, the Zias bolted out to a 10-0 lead in the first five minutes, on their way to a 43-32 halftime advantage. WTAMU didn't score until the 14:59 mark, when Jennifer Brock hit two free throws. A layup by Jereena Bosket (Sr., F/P, Las Vegas, NV/Barstow CC) with 12:40 left in the half gave ENMU a 17-4 margin.

Lee's 21 first-half points, included 12 points in the final 4:27 of the period, as the Zias extended a 27-24 lead into an 11-point halftime difference. Lee opened the offensive surge by sinking a 3-pointer to start a 12-3 run. She connected on another 3-pointer with 2:37 remaining that gave the Zias a 35-26 edge. Overall, Eastern scored 16 of the final 24 first-half points.

West Texas A&M held Lee to just six points in the final 20 minutes, but couldn't get closer than five points, and eventually fell well behind the Zias. The Lady Buffs scored the first six points of the second half to pull within 43-38 with 17:45 left in the game. Eastern recorded the next four points for a nine-point lead, but Brock scored next to pull WTAMU within 47-40.

The Zias added the next four points and was never threatened by the Lady Buffs the rest of the game. ENMU extended the lead to 58-44 on a 3-pointer by Heather Brown (Fr., G, Hereford, TX/Hereford HS) with 10:01 left. The margin reached 18 points at 67-49, following a pair of free throws by Loren Scarlett (Jr., P, Throckmorton, TX/Throckmorton HS) with 4:49 remaining.

The lead hit a game-high 22 points, 75-53, when Elizabeth Richards (So., F/P, Texico, NM/Texico HS) hit the first of two free throws with 1:54 to go.

Lee was the top scorer for either team. She also hauled down five rebounds, earned four assists, blocked two shots and had one steal, while committing just one turnover in 35 minutes. She sank 9 of 13 field goals for the game, after hitting 8 of 12 in the first half. She was 3 of 5 on 3-pointers and converted 6 of 7 free throws. Her 27 points topped her previous best of 22 points, scored this season against Emporia State University on Nov. 28.

Bosket tacked on 13 points and six rebounds for the Zias. She was 6 of 8 from the field. Brown contributed 11 points and three steals, while Scarlett chipped in eight points and Mika Robertson (Jr., F, Levelland, TX/Midland College) provided six points, a team-high eight rebounds and three steals.

WTAMU was led by Vasha Adams and Celeste Stevenson, each with 14 points. Adams was 6 of 10 from the floor and led all players with 10 rebounds. She also had three steals. Stevenson converted 5 of 12 field goals and 4 of 7 free throws. She also supplied nine rebounds for the Lady Buffs.

ENMU shot 53.3% in the first half (16 of 30), and finished the night at 50.0% overall (25 of 50). The Zias were 4 of 11 on 3-pointers, but sank 3 of 7 trifecta's in the first half. Eastern was 22 of 29 (75.9%) at the charity stripe.

The Lady Buffs shot 47.4% (9 of 19) in the first half, but made just 10 of 35 shots (28.6%) over the final 20 minutes. West Texas was just 3 of 15 on 3-point shots, including 0 for 8 in the second half. WTAMU connected on 16 of 24 free throws.

Both teams had trouble with turnovers, as WTAMU finished with 24 and ENMU had 22. The Zias achieved a 36-34 rebounding margin.

The Zias will remain at home to take on Colorado State University-Pueblo (previously known as the University of Southern Colorado) on Thursday, Dec. 18. Game time at Greyhound Arena is set for 5 p.m. (MST). After the game with CSU-Pueblo, the Zias will be idle until Jan. 3, when they host Southeastern Oklahoma State University in an LSC crossover game at 2 p.m. (MST).

Note: ENMU does not have a school record listed for points in a half. The ENMU record for points in a game was set by Robin Bradley on Nov. 11, 1986, with 37 points against Schreiner College (Texas).