Zias Slip Past Cameron in Final Minute, 58-56

PORTALES, NM – Freshman forward Elizabeth Richards (Texico, NM/Texico HS) scored on a layup with 36.7 seconds remaining to give Eastern New Mexico University the lead, and the Zias went on to defeat Cameron University, 58-56, in a Lone Star Conference crossover game, Jan. 16 at Greyhound Arena. ENMU, which ended an eight-game losing streak, improved to 3-9 on the season. Cameron dropped to 6-6 overall.

Richards’ layup, assisted by sophomore guard Laci Lee (Portales, NM/Portales HS), gave the Zias a 57-56 lead. On Cameron’s next possession, Signy Hermannsdottir missed a shot with 15 seconds left. The rebound resulted in a held ball, but Lady Aggies kept control on the alternating possession rule. Christina Buben missed a layup with 10 seconds left, and Lee hauled down the rebound for ENMU.

Lee was fouled with 6.5 seconds on the clock. She made the first of two free throws to increase Eastern’s lead to 58-56. Antonia White just missed on a 3-point shot for Cameron as the clock reached zero.

ENMU shot 48.5% (16 of 33) in the first half to keep pace with Cameron, which shot just 38.5% (10 of 26), but converted 13 of 14 free throws. The Zias led by as many as six points during the half, but needed a jumper by Lee as time expired to achieve a 36-36 tie.

The first half featured five ties and eight lead changes, while the teams combined for just 11 turnovers (CU 6, ENMU 5). Eastern held an 18-15 rebounding edge at the intermission.

ENMU scored the opening basket of the second half, before Cameron went on an 8-0 run for a 44-38 lead at the 14:44 mark. The Lady Aggies increased their lead to nine points, 49-40, with 10:07 to go, following a layup and foul shot by White.

The Zias trailed by seven points, 51-44, at the 7:47 mark, but achieved a 51-51 tie just 1:44 later. Eastern’s quick 7-0 spurt included a three-point play by Jenny Johnson (So., P, Jayton, TX/Jayton HS), plus two layups by Tia Doss (So., Post, Albuquerque, NM/Highland HS.

Neither team led by more than two points the rest of the way. Consecutive layups by Valencia Rollins (Sr., Post, Long Beach, CA/Western Wyoming College) with 4:46 and 4:07 left took ENMU from a two-point deficit into a 55-53 lead. Hermannsdottir made one of two free throws with 2:54 remaining, then connected on both ends of a two-shot foul to give Cameron a 56-55 lead with 57 seconds left.

Richards scored Eastern’s go-ahead basket on the next possession, as the Zias closed in on their first win since a 84-68 triumph over New Mexico Highlands University on Nov. 25. ENMU and Cameron combined for nine ties and 12 lead changes during the game.
Eastern won the game with scoring from nine players, but did not place a single player in double figures. Monica Trimble (Sr., F, Amarillo, TX/South Plains College) led the Zias with nine points. Doss finished with eight points, while Johnson and Jennifer Strebeck (Fr., G, Texico, NM/ Texico HS) each scored seven points.

Richards supplied six points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals.

The Zias finished the contest with 10 more field goals than the Lady Aggies (26 to 16), but CU converted 21 of 23 free throws, while ENMU sank just two of seven charity shots. Hermannsdottir hit 11 of 13 free throws, but made just two of 12 field goals attempts.
ENMU limited Cameron to 29.6% accuracy from the field (16 of 54), including a dismal 21.4% (6 of 28) over the final 20 minutes. The Zias finished at 41.3% from the field (26 of 63). Turnovers remained low for both teams, as ENMU finished with 10 and CU committed 11.

Cameron was led by Hermannsdottir, who scored 15 points to go with eight boards, three blocked shots and three steals. Kimberle Woods added 12 points and five rebounds, while White provided 10 points and three assists.

Eastern New Mexico University will play at Greyhound Arena again on Saturday, Jan. 18, against Southwestern Oklahoma State University. The LSC crossover game is set to get underway at 2 p.m. (MST).