Angelo State Builds 21-Point Lead in First Half,as Rambelles Defeat Zias, 74-48

SAN ANGELO, TX – Angelo State University built a 21-point first-half lead on its way to a 74-48 Lone Star Conference victory over Eastern New Mexico University, Jan. 25 at the Junell Center on the ASU campus. The Rambelles, who entered the game ranked #15 in NCAA Division II, improved to 15-1 on the season, including 3-0 in the LSC South. ENMU dropped to 3-12 overall, 0-2 in the LSC South.

ENMU’s only lead was 3-2, following a basket by Jereena Bosket (Jr., Post, Las Vegas, NV/ Barstow CC) and a free throw by Valencia Rollins (Sr., Post, Long Beach, CA/Western Wyoming College). Angelo State recorded the next 11 points for a 13-3 advantage at the 8:49 mark of the first half.

After Elizabeth Richards (Fr., F, Texico, NM/Texico HS) countered with a 3 pointer for ENMU 19 seconds later, the Rambelles went on a 12-2 run that began with seven unanswered points. ASU owned a 32-11 advantage at halftime, after limiting the Zias to 4 of 27 shooting (14.8%) over the first two minutes. ASU shot just 32.1% in the first half (9 of 28), but made 12 of 19 free throws compared to 2 of 8 for ENMU.

The Rambelles outscored the Zias by five points, 42-37, in the second half, and prevented ENMU from mounting a significant comeback. After ASU tallied the first five points of the period, the Zias went on a 9-2 run. Eastern’s offensive surge cut the lead to 39-20, but the Zias never got closer.

Both teams improved their shooting over the final 20 minutes. Angelo State was 13 of 22 (59.1%) in the second half, while Eastern converted 15 of 37 shots (40.5%). The Rambelles continued to hold an edge at the free throw line, and finished the game with 27 free throws on 45 attempts. ENMU concluded the evening 7 of 20 at the free throw line.

ASU was led by Crystal Whalon, who tallied 16 points on 5 of 8 field goals and 4 of 6 free throws. Whalon was the only Rambelle in double figures, but a total of 10 players scored for ASU. Other top scorers were Esponosha Gilliam, with nine points, and Megan Clift and Natalja Tsurbakova with eight points each. Tsurbakova led all players with nine rebounds, leading Angelo State to a 63-41 rebounding margin.

The top scorer for ENMU was Juliana Morrison (Jr., F, Amarillo, TX/Palo Duro HS), who sank 5 of 11 field goals, including 2 of 4 three-pointers for 12 points. Loren Scarlett (So., Post, Throckmorton, TX/Throckmorton HS) followed with eight points, and was 4 of 7 from the field. Laci Lee (So., G, Portales, NM/Portales HS) hauled down a team-high eight rebounds.

The Zias will take on Texas A&M-Commerce on Thursday, Jan. 30, at Greyhound Arena, with game time set for 5:30 p.m. (MST). ENMU will remain at home on Saturday, Feb. 1, to take on Texas A&M-Kingsville at 5 p.m. (MST). TAMU-Commerce and TAMU-Kingsville are both LSC South opponents.