Zias Rally from 13-Point Deficit in Final 9:48 to Defeat Texas Woman's, 70-68
Elizabeth Richards Scores 14, Grabs 7 Rebounds

DENTON, TX – Eastern New Mexico University trailed Texas Woman’s University, 54-41, with 9:48 remaining at Kitty Magee Arena, Feb. 8, but the Zias outscored TWU, 29-14, the rest of the way, to take a 70-68 Lone Star Conference South Division win from the Pioneers. With the victory, ENMU ended a stretch of games that included 14 losses in 15 contests. The Zias, who improved to 4-15 overall and to 1-5 in the LSC South, entered the game with a six-game losing streak. Texas Woman’s dropped to 7-13 overall, 3-5 in the LSC South.

Laci Lee (So., G, Portales, NM/Portales HS) scored eight points during Eastern’s late-game run, while Elizabeth Richards (Fr., F, Texico, NM/Texico HS) added seven points during the comeback. Richards finished the game as the leading scorer for either team with 14 points.

The Zias began their rally with an 11-1 run that cut TWU’s lead from 13 points to just three points, 55-52, with 7:27 left in the game. ENMU pulled within a single point, 57-56, on a layup by Lee with 6:20 remaining. The Zias finally tied the game, 64-64, at the 2:56 mark, when Tia Doss (So., Post, Albuquerque, NM/Highland HS) scored following an offensive rebound.

Lee added a field goal with 2:23 to play, as the Zias moved in front, 66-64. The Pioneers tied the game 12 seconds later, when Keshun Irving sank two free throws. Richards gave ENMU the lead for good, 68-66, on a pair of free throws with 1:58 remaining. Doss added a free throw at the 0:26 mark for a 69-66 lead.

Jereena Bosket (Jr., Post, Las Vegas, NV/Barstow CC) clinched the win by converting the second of two free throws with 14 seconds left. Irving finished the scoring with a layup for Texas Woman’s with six seconds to go.

Eastern built an 8-2 lead during the first 4:16 of the game, but TWU recorded the next 13 points to overtake the Zias, 15-10. ENMU countered with a 7 0 run, and did not trail the rest of the half. The Zias led by seven points, 33-26, at the 3:38 mark, before settling for a 36-32 advantage at the break.

TWU tied the score, 36-36, but trailed 41-38 when Doss scored with 14:12 remaining. The Pioneers then scored 16 unanswered points over the next 4:24 to claim their largest lead of the game at 54-41. Eastern’s 11-1 run followed, as the Zias began their decisive comeback.

ENMU gained a huge advantage on the boards, with 49 total rebounds compared to 28 rebounds for TWU. Eastern’s rebound total included 23 offensive boards. The Pioneers earned 11 offensive rebounds.

In addition to leading the Zias with 14 points, Richards contributed seven rebounds, two assists and two steals for ENMU. Juliana Morrison (Jr., F, Amarillo, TX/Palo Duro HS) added 13 points and was 5 of 9 from the field. Lee tacked on 11 points, supplied eight rebounds and led all players with four assists. Doss provided nine points and five rebounds, while Valencia Rollins (Sr., Post, Long Beach, CA/Western Wyoming College) earned eight points and six boards.

Eastern shot 44.1% for the game (26 of 59) and made 4 of 12 three-point shots (33.3%). The Pioneers hit 41.2% from the field (21 of 51), but shot just 25% (5 of 20) from 3-point range. TWU converted 21 of 32 free throws, while ENMU sank 14 of 23 charity shots.

Texas Woman’s received 12 points from Tiesha Wady and 11 points from Irving. Jessica Springer added 10 points and five rebounds, while sinking 4 of 4 field goals and 2 of 2 free throws. Julie Prescher scored nine points and made two of TWU’s five 3-point baskets.

ENMU will return to action on Monday, Feb. 10, with their third road game in five days. The Zias will be taking on West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, at 5 p.m. (MST) in the WTAMU Events Center. Eastern lost at Midwestern State University, 90-69, on Thursday, Feb. 6, to start the road trip.