Zias Defeat SW Oklahoma, 81-70
Brown Scores 20; Richards Adds 17 Points, 12 Boards

WEATHERFORD, OK — Heather Brown (Fr., G, Hereford, TX/Hereford HS) scored 20 points, and Elizabeth Richards (So., F/P, Texico, NM/Texico HS) added 17 points and 12 rebounds, as Eastern New Mexico University defeated Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 81-70, in a Lone Star Conference crossover game on Saturday, Jan. 10. ENMU improved to 6-7 on the season, while SW Oklahoma fell to 5-6.

Brown connected on 7 of 10 field goals, including 5 of 7 three-pointers, before fouling out with 5:35 left. It was her second big game in six days, as she scored 22 points against East Central University on Monday, Jan. 5. In that game, she hit 7 of 15 field goals and 4 of 8 three-pointers.

Richards sank 8 of 12 shots from the field versus SW Oklahoma, She was 1 for 2 from three-point range. She also registered three assists, one block and one steal.

Eastern never trailed, as the Zias built early leads of 4-0, 9-2 and 14-4. The Zias led by 14 points, 20-6, with 13:05 left in the first half, and held a 45-26 halftime advantage. ENMU shot an impressive 64.3% (18 of 28) over the first 20 minutes, including an equally impressive 7 of 9 from three-point range. Brown scored 14 points in the first half, while hitting 4 of 5 trifectas.

The Zias led by 21 points, 52-31, following a three-pointer by Richards with 17:46 left in the game. ENMU still held a very comfortable lead at 56-37, following a jumper by Tiana Bryant (So., P, Roswell, NM/U. of New Mexico) at the 15:15 mark.

SWOSU went on a 12-2 run that started with seven unanswered points. The run allowed the Bulldogs to cut the margin to nine points, 58-49, when Kayla Horn hit two free throws with 11:34 to go. SWOSU eventually got within five points, 73-68, with 5:09 remaining.

Richards put in a layup for Eastern with 4:04 left, increasing the lead back to seven points. Bethanie Bentz answered for SW Oklahoma with a jumper at the 3:46 mark, as the Lady Bulldogs moved back within five points at 75-70.

Junior post Loren Scarlett (Throckmorton, TX/Throckmorton HS) scored ENMU’s last three-pointer of the night with 3:06 left, as the Zias seized a 78-70 lead. Eastern extended the margin to 11 points on a free throw by Scarlett with 0:48 to go, plus a layup by Kristi McGuire (So., G, The Woodlands, TX/UT-Pan-American) with 0:35 remaining. The jumper by Bentz with 3:46 left completed the scoring for SWOSU, as the Lady Bulldogs missed their last five shots.

Brown and Richards were joined in double figures by Jereena Bosket (Sr., F/P, Las Vegas, NV/Barstow CC), who scored 12 points and supplied seven rebounds. Bosket was 6 of 10 from the floor. Bryant and Mika Robertson (Jr., F, Levelland, TX/Midland College) each added eight points, while Scarlett and Lee each contributed seven points.

The Zias were 33 of 54 on field goals (61.1%) and made 10 of 17 three-pointers (58.8%). Eastern committed 22 turnovers, compared to 12 for SW Oklahoma, but outrebounded the Lady Bulldogs, 38-22.

Eastern limited SWOSU to 34.6% shooting in the first half (9 of 26). The Lady Bulldogs improved to 50.0% (16 of 32) in the second half, and finished the game 25 of 58 (43.1%).

SW Oklahoma gained an edge at the free throw line, as ENMU was called for 25 personal fouls. SWOSU converted 15 of 22 charity shots. The Zias were 5 of 8 at the line, while the Lady Bulldogs accumulated only 12 fouls.

Horn was SW Oklahoma’s top scorer. She tallied 23 points, while sinking 10 of 15 field goals. She also earned a team-high five rebounds, plus two assists and three steals. Bentz finished with 17 points, while Paige Adams provided 11 points. Adams also recorded four rebounds, four assists and three steals.

The Zias will complete a string of three consecutive road games on Tuesday, Jan. 13, when they take on West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. Tip-off for the LSC South game is scheduled for 5 p.m. (MST) at the WTAMU Event Center. The Lady Buffs defeated Eastern, 75-54, in the Dr. Pepper Classic at West Texas on Nov. 28. ENMU answered with a 76-57 win over the Lady Buffs in an LSC South game at Greyhound Arena on Dec. 16.