Melanie Carter Scores 17 Points for Wildcats, as Abilene Christian Downs Zias, 73-56

ABILENE, TX – Junior center Melanie Carter scored 17 points and hauled down seven rebounds to lead Abilene Christian University to a 73-56 victory over Eastern New Mexico University, in a Lone Star Conference game, Jan. 23 at Moody Coliseum. Abilene Christian improved to 10-7 overall, 1-1 in the LSC South. ENMU fell to 3-11, 0-1 in the LSC South.

Carter, 6’ 2”, was chosen Preseason Player-of-the-Year by the LSC South coaches, sports information directors and media. Against ENMU, she connected on six of seven field goals and five of seven free throws. She previously played at Monterey High School in Lubbock, Texas.

The Zias shot 52.0% (13 of 25) in the first half, but took just two free throw attempts over the first 20 minutes (1 of 2). ACU managed just 38.5% from the field (10 of 26) in the first half, but converted 12 of 15 first-half free throws, and led 34-28 at the break.

ACU opened the second half with a 7-0 run. Jodi Hellums started the run with a 3-point basket. Carter added a layup with 17:59 left, and tacked on two free throws with 15:59 on the clock. After the free throws, ACU led 41-28.

Laci Lee (So., G, Portales, NM/Portales HS) scored Eastern’s first points of the second half on a jumper with 15:34 remaining. The Zias trailed by double-digit margins for nearly the rest of the game, but cut the deficit to nine points, 58-49, with 6:24 left, when Lee scored and hit a foul shot for ENMU. Elizabeth Richards (Fr., F, Texico, NM/Texico HS) cut the margin to 58-51 on a layup at the 5:49 mark.

The Wildcats countered by scoring the next 10 points to take a 68-51 lead with 2:20 left. Ashley King registered five points during the run, while Carter contributed four points.
ENMU fell to 29.4% shooting (10 of 34) in the second half, while ACU improved to 55.6% (10 of 18). The Wildcats also hit 16 of 21 second-half free throws to finish the game 28 of 36 at the charity stripe. The Zias sank six of seven free throws following the halftime break, and concluded the game with seven free throws on nine attempts.
Carter’s 17 points topped all scorers. ACU also received 10 points from Lynsie Blau and nine points each from King and Meredith Doyle.

Blau led the Wildcats with 10 rebounds, which were followed by Carter’s seven rebounds, plus six boards by Jackie Vinson. The Wildcats achieved a 43-26 rebounding margin. ACU used its edge in rebounding and free throws, as well as its accurate shooting in the second half, to offset 29 turnovers by the Wildcats. ENMU also struggled with possession, as the Zias were credited with 24 turnovers during the game.

Lee was Eastern’s high scorer, with 12 points. Valencia Rollins (Sr., Post, Long Beach, CA/Western Wyoming College) added 10 points to go with three rebounds and two steals. Rollins sank four of five field goals and hit two of two free throws.

Richards provided the Zias with nine points, five assists, five steals and three rebounds. She fouled out of the game in the closing seconds, after leading the Zias with 36 minutes played.

ENMU remains on the road to take on LSC South favorite Angelo State University on Saturday, Jan. 25. Tip-off in San Angelo, Texas, is set for 5 p.m. (MST). ASU, which won last year’s overall LSC title after taking first place in the LSC South, is currently 14-1 overall and 2-0 in the division.