Kingsville Hits Seven 3-Pointers in First Half,
as Javelinas Defeat Zias, 70-49
Rollins Scores 16 pints, Grabs 11 Rebounds for ENMU

KINGSVILLE, TX –- Texas A&M University-Kingsville sank 7 of 13 three-pointers in the first 20 minutes, as the Javelinas built a 40-25 halftime lead, on their way to a 70-49 victory over Eastern New Mexico University, Feb. 27 in a Lone Star Conference game. TAMUK upped its record to 11-14 overall, 4-9 in the LSC South. ENMU dropped to 6-20 on the season, including 3-10 in the LSC South.

Kingsville never trailed, and was tied only once, when Valencia Rollins (Sr., Post, Long Beach, CA/Western Wyoming College) scored Eastern’s first basket. The Javelinas took an early 6-2 lead, and increased their advantage to 23-12, on two free throws by Arie Wilson with 9:36 left in the half. TAMUK held a 35-17 lead at the 3:50 mark, for its largest lead of the half.

The Javelinas cooled off from behind the arc in the second half, hitting just 1 of 7 shots. TAMU-Kingsville also fell from 44.8% on overall field goal shooting in the first half (13 of 29) to 35.3% in the second half (12 of 34).

ENMU gave up the first six points of the second half to fall behind by 21 points. The Zias countered with a 13-0 run to cut the lead to eight points, 46-38, with 13:18 remaining. Rollins, who led the Zias with a career-high 16 points on the night, scored six points during the run. Elizabeth Richards (Fr., F, Texico, NM/Texico HS) added five points during the offensive surge.

The Zias were unable to maintain their momentum, and shot just 29.0% during the second half (9 of 31). ENMU finished the game 18 of 59 from the field (30.5%), including 2 of 12 (16.7%) from 3-point range.

Wilson led all players with 19 points and 19 rebounds. She was 6 of 12 from the floor and 7 of 8 at the free throw line. Her impressive statistics also included three assists, two blocks and two steals. She committed seven turnovers, as the Javelinas lost the ball 18 times overall, compared to 23 turnovers for the Zias.

Joining Wilson in double figures were Sholanda Pipkin, Kim Adams and Leigh Ann McGhee. Pipkin hit for 16 points and grabbed four rebounds, while Adams scored 11 points and hauled down four boards. McGhee contributed 10 points in 17 minutes.
Rollins had a solid overall night for the Zias. In addition to scoring 16 points, she grabbed 11 rebounds, produced three steals, earned one assist and blocked one shot. She was 7 of 14 on field goal attempts.

It was the second consecutive strong performance for Rollins against TAMUK. She recorded a career-high 13 rebounds, to go with five steals, two assists and three points, in Eastern’s 62-53 loss to the Javelinas, Feb. 1 at Greyhound Arena.

In the second game against Kingsville, Rollins was one of three players in double figures for the Zias. Monica Trimble (Sr., F, Amarillo, TX/South Plains College) scored 12 points, hauled down four rebounds, earned two steals and provided two assists. Jereena Bosket (Jr., Post, Las Vegas, NV/Barstow CC) tallied 10 points and grabbed four rebounds.

Laci Lee (So., G, Portales, NM/Portales HS) recorded just three points for Eastern, but registered six boards, six assists, three steals and a blocked shot. Pressure from Kingsville forced Trimble into eight turnovers and Lee into five turnovers.

ENMU held a 43-41 margin on the boards, and outrebounded the Javelinas, 24-16, in the first half. Kingsville achieved a 25-19 rebounding edge in the second half.
The Zias will conclude the season on Saturday, Mar. 1, at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Tip-off in Commerce, Texas, is scheduled for 3 p.m. (MST).