Zias Defeat Texas Woman's, 76-67, for Second Win over Pioneers in Six Days

PORTALES, NM – Eastern New Mexico University scored the game’s first 11 points, then remained in the lead the rest of the way, as the Zias defeated visiting Texas Woman’s University, 76-67, Feb. 13 at Greyhound Arena. The Lone Star Conference South Division victory was Eastern’s second win over the Pioneers in six days. ENMU rallied from a 13-point deficit in the final 9:48 to defeat TWU, 70-68, on Saturday (Feb. 8).

ENMU improved to 5-16 overall and to 2-6 in the LSC South. Texas Woman’s fell to 7-14 on the season, including 3-6 in the LSC South.

The Zias placed five players in double figures for the first time this season. Three players - Jereena Bosket (Jr., Post, Las Vegas, NV/Barstow CC), Monica Trimble (Sr., F, Amarillo, TX/South Plains College) and Juliana Morrison (Jr., F, Amarillo, TX/Palo Duro HS) - led the Zias with 12 points each. Elizabeth Richards (Fr., F, Texico, NM/Texico HS) added 11 points and Jennifer Strebeck (Fr., G, Texico, NM/Texico HS) provided 10 points.

Texas Woman’s missed its first nine shots, and did not score until a layup by Lacey Pemberton with 13:12 remaining in the half. ENMU led by as many as 17 points twice during the opening period, including 32-15 at the 5:23 mark. The Pioneers scored the next eight points, and cut the lead to six points at the half, 37-31, after Meaghan Lewis hit the second of two free throws with three seconds left.

Richards scored the first basket of the second half for ENMU, but the Pioneers answered with a 6-0 run to reduce Eastern’s advantage to two points, 39-37. The Pioneers also were within two points, 45-43, at the 14:29 mark. Eastern gained some breathing room by scoring nine of the next 11 points for a 54-45 lead.

Eastern never relinquished its lead, although TWU pulled within four points three times between the 8:52 mark and the 2:10 mark. Eastern extended its margin to six points, 67-61, on a layup by Morrison with 2:00 left, but Julie Prescher sank a three-pointer for TWU with 1:41 on the clock.

Perhaps the key basket of the game was scored by Morrison on the next possession for the Zias. She hit a 15-foot jumper as the shot clock expired, giving Eastern a 69-64 lead. Jessica Springer made the first of two free throws with 53 seconds left for TWU, but the Zias closed out the game by hitting five of seven free throws. One of the missed charity shots was rebounded by Richards, who put in a layup for a 74-65 lead at the 23-second mark.

The Zias shot 41.3% on the night (26 of 63) and made 21 of 29 free throws. Texas Woman’s converted 32.8% of its shots during the game (19 of 58) and made just 30.3% (10 of 33) in the second half. TWU made 6 of 22 three-point attempts, while the Zias converted 3 of 13 shots from behind the arc. ENMU earned a 50-44 rebounding edge.

TWU was led by Springer and Lewis, with 16 points apiece. Springer was just 3 of 10 from the field, but made 10 of 14 free throws. Lewis also contributed a game-high 10 rebounds. Lewis converted 5 of 12 field goals, including 4 of 8 three-pointers. Daphne Lyons provided Texas Woman’s with 12 points, while Pemberton supplied eight rebounds.

Six Zias finished with five or more rebounds, led by Bosket with eight and Laci Lee (So., G, Portales, NM/Portales HS) with seven. Lee also recorded four assists, two blocks and one steal.

The Zias will remain at home for four more games to complete their longest homestand of the season. Up next is Midwestern State University in an LSC South game scheduled for 5 p.m. (MST) on Saturday (Feb. 15). The Zias will also play home games against LSC South opponents West Texas A&M University (Feb. 17), Angelo State University (Feb. 20) and Abilene Christian University (Feb. 22).