West Texas A&M Takes 43-20 Halftime Lead, Defeats ENMU, 75-54, in Dr. Pepper Classic

CANYON, TX - Eastern New Mexico University shot just 22.7% (5 of 22) in the first half, as West Texas A&M University built a 43-20 halftime lead on the opening day of the 2003 Dr. Pepper Classic, Nov. 28, at the WTAMU Events Center. ENMU improved to 35.5% from the floor (11 of 31) in the second half, but the Lady Buffs, who shot 50.0% (17 of 34) in the first half, kept pace at 35.7% (10 of 28) over the final 20 minutes, to defeat the Zias, 75-54.

WTAMU improved to 2-1 with the victory, while ENMU dropped to 2-2. Both teams will play again on Saturday, Nov. 29. The predetermined schedule has the Zias taking on Emporia State at 1 p.m. (MST) and West Texas A&M playing Edinboro University (Pa.) at 5 p.m. (MST). ESU defeated Edinboro, 86-58, in the other first round game.

West Texas A&M zoomed out to a 14-2 lead with 13:48 left in the first half. Eastern's only points in the first six minutes came on a layup by Jereena Bosket (Sr., F/P, Las Vegas, NV/Barstow CC) that tied the score at 2-2 with 17:50 remaining.

The Zias used a 6-2 run to pull within eight points, 16-8, at the 11:50 mark. The Lady Buffs countered with an 11-2 run and owned a 27-10 advantage with 7:03 to go in the half.

Eastern continued to struggle from the floor and added just 10 points the rest of the period. Meanwhile, West Texas A&M scored an additional 16 points, as the Lady Buffs closed the half with a 27-12 run overall.

ENMU committed 16 turnovers in the first half, while WTAMU lost the ball 10 times. In the second half, the Zias made just four turnovers and the Lady Buffs had nine turnovers.

Bosket scored on a layup to open the second-half scoring, but WTAMU tallied eight of the next 10 points for a 51-24 lead with 16:48 left. Eastern's improved shooting and ball control enabled the Zias to respond with an 11-0 run that pulled ENMU within 51-35 at the 13:24 mark.

The margin returned to 16 points, 53-37, when Kristi McGuire (So., G, The Woodlands, TX/UT-Permian Basin) hit a basket for ENMU with 12:55 remaining, but West Texas never let the Zias any closer. WTAMU held a 65-41 lead when Celeste Stevenson completed a 12-4 run on a layup with 8:40 to go. The Lady Buffs stayed in charge the rest of the way.

Stevenson led all players with 25 points. She was 10 of 17 from the field and 5 for 5 at the free throw line. Tywanda Harris tacked on 14 points and six rebounds, while Keisha Monroe added 11 points on 5 of 5 field goals and 1 for 2 at the line. Carlee Howard scored nine points and grabbed five rebounds, while Suni Jo Petty had six points, six boards and four assists.

WTAMU achieved a 45-36 margin on the boards, led by Vasha Adams' seven rebounds. Jennifer Brock led the Lady Buffs with six assists. Stephanie Williams earned four assists and achieved three of WTAMU's 11 steals.

Bosket led the Zias with 15 points and nine rebounds. She was 4 of 9 from the field and converted 7 of 8 charity shots. The Zias were 20 of 32 overall at the line.

Elizabeth Richards (Jr., F/P, Texico, NM/Texico HS) scored nine points, grabbed seven rebounds and earned two assists. McGuire also scored nine points, and earned four rebounds. Laci Lee (Jr., G, Portales, NM/Portales HS) tallied eight points to go with four rebounds, three assists and two steals. McGuire and Lee each had five turnovers, but seven of the 10 miscues occurred in the first half.

The Zias achieved 13 steals, including three each by McGuire and Loren Scarlett (Jr., P, Throckmorton, TX/Throckmorton HS). Scarlett scored five points and grabbed six rebounds.

West Texas A&M owned an edge in three-point shooting, but made just one three-pointer in the second half. The Lady Buffs were 6 of 13 from behind the arc in the first half (46.2%), and converted 7 of 18 three-pointers overall (38.9%). Eastern went 0 for 4 from three-point range in the first 20 minutes. The Zias were 2 for 15 on three-pointers (13.3%) for the game.