Eastern runs winning streak to three
Scarlett pours in 16 points in 64-60 victory

Box Score

AUSTIN, TEXAS — The Eastern New Mexico women’s basketball team ran its winning streak to three games with a 64-60 victory on the road over St. Edward’s University on Thursday, Dec. 9. Loren Scarlett (Sr., F, Throckmorton, TX/Throckmorton HS) scored a season-high 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-6 from three-point range. The Zias are now 5-3 on the season, while St. Ed’s fell to 2-8 with the loss.

Tia Doss (Jr., P, Albuquerque, NM/Highland HS) poured in 13 for the Zias, and Tiana Bryant (Jr., F, Roswell, NM/University of New Mexico) added 12. Eastern outshot the Hilltoppers in the contest, dropping 52.1 percent of its shots (25-for-48) to St. Edwards’ 32.8 percent (21-for-64).

Mika Robertson (Sr., F, Levelland, TX/Midland College) led the Zias on the boards with eight rebounds, and added five points and six assists. Laci Lee (Sr., G, Portales, NM/Portales HS) grabbed seven boards to go along with nine points, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Heather Brown (So., G, Hereford, TX/Hereford HS) scored eight points to add to her six assists for the night.

The Zias went on an 11-4 run in the closing minutes to put the game in the win column. After a Jennifer Knight jumper tied the game at 53, Doss scored the next three points on a jumper and a free throw, and a Lee layup gave the Zias a five-point lead with 0:54 left. Eastern extended its lead to 64-57 before Knight knocked down a three at the buzzer.

The two teams went to the half tied at 25, mostly because of a 10-0 Hilltopper run late in the frame. ENMU held a 23-15 lead with 3:53 to go in the first, but Sarah Baca and Tammy Bartosh scored eight of the game’s next 10 points, as the Zias failed to convert on four straight opportunities. But Eastern got a Bryant jumper with 0:47 seconds left in the half to stop the bleeding and send the teams to the locker room all knotted up.

The Hilltoppers got 21 points and seven rebounds from Knight, while Leah Foster provided 11 points and 10 boards for the home squad. The Zias shot 41.2 percent (7-for-17) from three-point land, including a 4-for-6 performance by Scarlett.

ENMU returns to LSC Crossover play on Saturday, Dec. 11, when it heads to Stephenville, Texas for a matchup with Tarleton State University. Game time is slated for 5 p.m. MST.