Emporia State Uses 12-0 Run in Second Half to Pull Away from Zias in 83-73 Win
Score was tied, 48-48, before Decisive Run

CANYON, TX - Eastern New Mexico University trailed Emporia State University by as many as 13 points in the first half of their game at the Dr. Pepper Classic, Nov. 29, at West Texas A&M University, but cut the lead to 37-32 late in the half and trailed 40-33 at the intermission. The Zias eventually tied the score, 48-48, against the undefeated Hornets, with 13:56 left in the game. It wasn't enough, as Emporia State responded with a 12-0 run for a 60-48 advantage at the 9:51 mark, and led by at least seven points the rest of the way, in an 83-73 win over the Zias. ESU improved to 5-0 on the season, while ENMU dropped to 2-3.

Miklannet Tennal opened the decisive run with a basket and foul shot with 12:50 to go. The Hornets added two points for a 53-48 lead, then Alicia Bessey completed the offensive surge by scoring six of the final seven points.

ENMU cut the margin to seven points, 66-59, on two free throws by Elizabeth Richards (So., F/P, Texico, NM/Texico HS) with 5:45 remaining. ESU scored the next four points on a pair of charity shots by Tennal and a layup by Casey Henningsen to give the Hornets a 70-59 lead with 3:37 remaining.

In the first half, ENMU took a 6-0 lead just 1:36 into the game, as Richards scored twice and McGuire scored once. ESU scored the next seven points and moved out to a 13-8 lead with 15:19 left in the opening period. The Zias registered the next four points, but the Hornets countered with an 13-2 run to take a 26-14 lead with 10:19 to go in the half. Henningsen scored six points during the run.

The Hornets held a 35-22 advantage with 5:44 on the first half clock. Eastern put together a 10-2 run, with five points coming from Bosket on a three-point play and a layup, as the Zias pulled within five points, 37-32, at the 1:46 mark. ESU led by seven points at the break.

Henningsen and Nicole Patry each recorded 18 points in the game to lead Emporia State. Henningsen also hauled down a team-high nine rebounds, while Patry tied for game-high honors with seven assists. Other double-digit scorers for the Hornets were Bessey with 14 points and Tennal with 13 points.

The Zias had trouble stopping Henningsen (6'1") in the ESU offense. She connected on 7 of 8 field goals and made 4 of 5 free throws. Eastern, however, did overcome Henningsen's nine rebounds. The Zias outrebounded the Hornets, 46-34, including double-digit efforts from Laci Lee (Jr., G, Portales, NM/Portales HS), with a game-high 11 rebounds, and Richards, with 10 rebounds.

ENMU also limited Esmary Vargas-Sanchez, a 6'3" post from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, to four points on 2 of 5 shooting and just four rebounds. Vargas-Sanchez blocked four shots and earned two assists and two steals.

The ENMU offense placed four players in double figures. Lee registered a game-high 22 points on 9 of 18 field goals, including 4 of 7 three-pointers. Loren Scarlett (Jr., P, Throckmorton, TX/Throckmorton HS) added 16 points and grabbed eight boards. Richards finished with 14 points and seven assists, and Jereena Bosket (Sr., F/P, Las Vegas, NV/Barstow CC) chipped in 12 points and two assists. Richards scored the layup that made it 48-48 in the second half.

Emporia State converted 46.9% of its field goals (30 of 64), but was only 4 of 17 on 3-pointer attempts (23.5%). The Hornets hit 19 of 26 free throws (73.1%) and committed just nine turnovers. Eastern shot 44.6% from the field (29 of 65). The Zias were 5 of 14 (35.7%) on three-pointers, but connected on just 10 of 16 free throws (62.5%) and had 20 turnovers.

ENMU, which has played all five games away from Greyhound Arena, will play two road
contests next week. The Zias will travel to the University of Central Oklahoma for a game on Thursday, Dec. 4, and play at Northeastern State University on Saturday, Dec. 6. Both games will be Lone Star Conference crossover games, which do not count in the division standings.

The Zias will play their first home game of the season on Tuesday, Dec. 16, against West Texas A&M. It will be the first LSC South Division game of the season for both teams. The Zias will remain at home for a non-conference game on Thursday, Dec. 18, against Colorado State University-Pueblo.