West Texas A&M Outlasts ENMU, 80-73
Richards and Lee each Score 19 against Lady Buffs

CANYON, TX — West Texas A&M University recorded 19 offensive rebounds and forced Eastern New Mexico University into 30 turnovers, as the Lady Buffs defeated the Zias, 80-73, in a Lone Star Conference South Division game, Jan. 13 at the WTAMU Event Center. The Lady Buffs improved to 12-2 overall and 1-1 in the LSC South. Eastern dropped to 6-8 overall, including 1-1 in the LSC South.

WTAMU has defeated ENMU in two of three meetings this season. The Lady Buffs downed the Zias, 75-54, in the Dr. Pepper Classic at WTAMU on Nov. 28. Eastern earned an LSC South win over the Lady Buffs, 76-57, at Greyhound Arena on Dec. 16.

Eastern committed 19 turnovers in the first half, allowing West Texas A&M to build a 36-28 lead. Celeste Stevenson of WTAMU, who led all players with 23 points, scored 11 in the first half.

Neither team led by more than three points for most of the first half, and the score was tied, 15-15, with 8:13 remaining. The Lady Buffs scored the next five points on a layup by Tywanda Harris and a three-point play by Stevenson. West Texas then outscored ENMU 6-2 to complete an 11-2 run, as the Lady Buffs increased their lead to 26-17.

The Zias responded with a 6-0 run to cut the margin to 26-25 after Elizabeth Richards (So., F/P, Texico, NM/Texico HS) scored on a layup with 4:15 left in the half. West Texas held a 30-27 advantage at the 2:47 mark, then outscored the Zias 6-1 over the remainder of the period.

ENMU scored the first bucket of the second half on a shot by Jereena Bosket (Jr., F/P, Las Vegas, NV/Barstow CC), but gave up four consecutive points, as the Lady Buffs took a 40-30 advantage. WTAMU also led by 10 points, 42-32, with 18:18 left.

Laci Lee (Jr., G, Portales, NM/Portales HS) hit a 3-pointer with 16:03 remaining to pull the Zias within 45-41 at the 16:03 mark. The Zias tied the score, 53-53, about six minutes later on two free throws by Heather Brown (Fr., G, Hereford, TX/Hereford HS), then took a 55-53 lead when Lee converted two free throws with 9:39 to go.

Stevenson scored the next basket for WTAMU to tie the game 13 seconds later, and the Lady Buffs claimed the lead for good, 56-55, on a free throw by Harris with 7:56 left. Stevenson tacked on two free throws, before Lee sank a jumper to cut the lead to 58-57.

The Lady Buffs put together an 11-0 run to take charge of the contest. WTAMU opened the run with three 3-pointers, the last two by Carlee Howard, to move the margin to 10 points, 67-57, with 5:44 on the clock. Keisha Monroe added a layup with 4:21 left, as the offense outburst ended with a 69-57 WTAMU lead.

The Zias managed to get back within two points by outscoring the Lady Buffs 11-1 over the ensuing 2:32. Richards, who provided seven points during the run, completed the rally with a basket and foul shot at the 1:49 mark.

Stevenson scored for the Lady Buffs with 1:27 to go, and the Zias never got closer than four points the rest of the game. WTAMU connected on 6 of 6 free throws in the final 37 seconds to seal the victory.

West Texas placed three players in double figures. Stevenson was joined by Harris, who scored 14 points, and by Monroe, who tallied 10 points. Stevenson grabbed a game-high nine rebounds, with Jennifer Brock contributing five boards. The Lady Buffs tied the Zias with 34 total rebounds each.

Brock also earned six assists and two steals for West Texas. Vasha Adams registered eight points and six steals. Stephanie Williams scored eight points and dished out three assists.

The Zias were led in scoring by Richards and Lee, each with 19 points. Richards was 8 of 11 from the floor, while Lee converted 6 of 9 shots. Bosket followed with 15 points, and Brown supplied 10 points. Bosket was 7 of 10 on field goals and hauled down six boards. Lee grabbed six rebounds and was credited with six assists. Brown recorded five assists, but had seven turnovers.

ENMU shot 61.5% in the second half (16 of 26) to finish the game at 53.1% (26 of 49). West Texas A&M made 28 of 65 shots (43.1%) overall, including 5 of 10 three-pointers. Eastern was successful on just 3 of 10 three-pointers.

The Lady Buffs overcame Eastern’s second-half shooting advantage by gaining a 12-4 edge in offensive rebounds over the final 20 minutes. WTAMU also had 10 more free throws attempts in the second half (22) than ENMU (12). The Lady Buffs sank 14 of the charity shots to finish the game 19 of 30 overall. Eastern was 10 of 12 in the second half and ended the game 18 of 22.

Up next for Eastern New Mexico University is an LSC crossover game against Tarleton State University on Thursday, Jan. 15. Game time at Greyhound Arena in Portales, N.M., is set for 5:30 p.m. (MST). Crossover games to not count in the LSC divisional standings.