SE Oklahoma Finishes with 9-2 Run to Defeat Zias 61-54 in LSC Crossover Game

PORTALES, NM — Monica Sanders scored the go-ahead basket with 1:55 remaining, to start a game-ending 9-2 run by Southeastern Oklahoma State University, as the Lady Savages defeated Eastern New Mexico University, 61-54, in a Lone Star Conference crossover game, Jan. 3 at Greyhound Arena. SE Oklahoma improved to 2-7, while ENMU dropped to 4-6.

The Zias had three more baskets and 12 more rebounds than SOSU, but Eastern made just 1 of 10 three-point shots and 9 of 17 free throws, while committing 23 turnovers. ENMU played without starting point guard Kristi McGuire (Jr., The Woodlands, TX/UT-Pan American), who missed the game with a sprained ankle.

Even so, Eastern owned a 52-50 lead with 3:20 left, after Elizabeth Richards (So., F, Texico, NM/Texico HS) hit two free throws. Sanders provided each of the next two scores for SOSU, as the Lady Savages took the lead. SE Oklahoma scored three more unanswered points on a basket by Randi Wilson at the 1:10 mark, plus one of two free throws by Wilson with 53 seconds on the clock.

Richards scored with 28 seconds left to cut the lead to 57-54, but ENMU never scored again. Jessica Hocker clinched the win for SE Oklahoma by sinking two free throws with 21 seconds left and adding two more charity shots with eight seconds to go.

Wilson was the top scorer for the Lady Savages with 14 points. She made 5 of 7 field goals, including 3 of 4 on 3-pointers. SOSU converted 5 of 13 three-pointers overall. Hocker and Stephanie Williams contributed 11 points apiece, with Williams grabbing 7 rebounds and Hocker hauling down 6 boards. Hocker, who entered the game hitting 85.7% at the line, was 7 for 7 against ENMU.

The Lady Savages amassed 16 steals. Hocker led the team with five thefts, while Williams followed with four steals. Meanwhile, SE Oklahoma lost the ball just 16 times, with only six turnovers in the second half.

Richards accumulated her 22 points by hitting 10 of 15 field goals and 2 of 3 free throws. Her eight boards tied Laci Lee (Jr., G, Portales, NM/Portales HS) for the team rebounding lead. Richards played 39 of the game’s 40 minutes.

Loren Scarlett (Jr., P, Thockmorton, TX/Throckmorton HS) scored 10 points on 5 of 7 shooting, to go with five rebounds and two steals. Jereena Bosket (Sr., F/P, Las Vegas, NV/Barstow CC) also scored 10 points. She registered seven rebounds and had two steals.

Freshman guard Heather Brown (Hereford, TX/Hereford HS) filled in for McGuire, and recorded eight assists, five rebounds and three steals. She also scored five points for the Zias.

ENMU trailed 31-25 with 2:39 left in the first half, but closed the period with a 4-0 run. Bosket scored to open the second half, as ENMU tied the game, 31-31. The game featured 11 ties and 12 lead changes, with 11 of the lead changes taking place in the second half.

Eastern concluded the game 22 of 57 from the field (38.6%) and held SOSU to a 19 of 54 performance (35.2%). The Lady Savaged made up the difference with four more 3-pointers than the Zias, plus an 18 of 23 effort at the line (78.3%). ENMU outrebounded SOSU, 45-33.

The Zias remain at home to take on East Central University in an LSC crossover game on Monday, Jan. 5 at 5:30 p.m. Crossover games do not count in the LSC divisional standings.