Zia Basketball Falls to UTEP in Exhibition
Bryant Scores 20 Points for ENMU; Zias Shoot 50%

EL PASO, TEXAS — Junior post Tiana Bryant (Roswell, NM/U. of New Mexico) scored a game-high 20 points and the Eastern New Mexico University Zias shot 50.0% from the floor, but the University of Texas at El Paso scored 46 points off the bench to win a preseason exhibition game, 91-72, on Sunday, Nov. 7. The Zias are set to open the regular season at Greyhound Arena on Monday, Nov. 15, against For Lewis College at 6 p.m. MST.

UTEP placed five players in double figures, including Erica Yancey, who led the Miners from off the bench with 15 points. Izabela Piekarska added 11 points off the bench, while starters Kasia Krezel and Charnette Phelps each recorded 12 points, and starter Marta Dydek added 10 points. Overall, a total of 11 players scored for the Miners.

The Zias finished the game with four players in double figures. Bryant led the way on 9 of 18 shooting (2 of 3 three-pointers), and was followed by sophomore guard Heather Brown (Hereford, TX/Hereford HS) with 11 points. Tia Doss (Jr., F, Albuquerque, NM/Highland HS) and Mika Robertson (Sr., F, Levelland, TX/Midland College) each tallied 10 points. Eastern was 25 of 50 from the floor, including 7 of 12 (58.3%) from three-point range. The Zias were 12 of 22 (54.5%) from the field in the first half.

UTEP opened the game with a three-pointer by Jonna Launiainen, but the Zias tied the score, 5-5, on a three-pointer by Laci Lee (Sr., G, Portales, NM/Portales HS) with 17:57 left in the first half. The Miners scored the next nine points for a 14-5 margin at the 13:59 mark. ENMU got as close as five points, 37-32, with 1:09 remaining in the half. UTEP held a 40-32 advantage at the break.

The Miners went on a 8-3 run to start the second half, increasing their lead to 48-35 with 17:47 to go. UTEP led by double digits the rest of the way and held at least a 17-point cushion over the final 11:29.

ENMU was outrebounded by the Miners, 36-29. Phelps led UTEP with seven boards, while Piekarska added six rebounds. The Zias received six boards from Robertson and five boards each from Bryant and junior college transfer Riikka Lehtonen (Vahto, Finland/Kilgore College), who played 22 minutes off the bench. Lehtonen also scored six points, but committed five of Eastern’s 28 turnovers. UTEP made 19 turnovers.

Robertson played well in most aspects of the game for the Zias. In addition to providing 10 points and six boards, she achieved a game-high eight assists and registered five steals. She hit just 3 of 10 field goals (2 of 4 three-pointers) and lost the ball six times.

Overall, the Zias had 16 assists, 10 steals and one blocked shot. UTEP ended the game with 26 assists, 11 steals and six blocks. The Miners shot 53.0% for the game (35 of 66), including 56.3% (18 of 32) in the second half. UTEP made 9 of 16 three-point shots.

ENMU’s coaching staff to start the season includes Acting Head Coach Dustin Klafka and Assistant Coach Wayne Moore. Both are filling in for Head Coach Dan Buzard, who is on medical leave. Moore was the Zias’ head coach for 22 seasons from 1980-81 through 2001-02, while Klafka was a graduate assistant for two seasons with the Zias, and was in his first season as a full-time assistant last year.