CSU-Pueblo Shoots 52% in Second Half
of 66-60 Win over Eastern New Mexico University
ENMU’s Robertson named to All-Tournament Team

Box Score

PUEBLO, COLO. — Eastern New Mexico University opened the season with two wins over teams that won more than 20 games last season, as Eastern took a 57-53 victory over Fort Lewis College (Colo.) and a 71-64 triumph over the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The Zias went after a third straight foe with more than 20 wins last year, but Colorado State University- Pueblo made 13 of 25 shots in the second half (52.0%) to give the Zias their first defeat of the season, 66-60, on Nov. 20 at the Al Kaly Shrine Classic. CSU-Pueblo evened its record at 1-1.

CSU-Pueblo just missed the NCAA Division II Tournament a year ago after finishing 20-9. Fort Lewis qualified for the NCAA Tournament before concluding the year at 23-8. Nebraska- Kearney also reached the NCAA Tournament on its way to a 25-6 record. ENMU was 16-12 last season, including 10-4 in the Lone Star Conference South Division (2nd place tie).

The Thunderwolves led 18-9 after 10 minutes, but the Zias countered with a 9-2 run to cut the margin to two points, 20-18. Eastern eventually tied the game, 24-24, on a jumper by Riikka Lehtonen (Jr., Post, Turku, Finland/Kilgore College) at the 2:54 mark. The Zias took a 26-24 lead on two free throws by Tia Doss (Jr., F, Albuquerque, NM/Highland HS) with 2:14 left in the period.

Kristin Heinl sank a 3-pointer with 1:52 on the first half clock and Leslie Wood chipped in another 3-pointer 28 seconds later, giving the Thunderwolves a 30-26 advantage. Eastern scored the final three points of the half, but still trailed 30-29 at the intermission.

The teams exchanged the lead eight times and were tied once during the first 5:35 of the second period, with the Thunderwolves ending the back-and-forth battle in front, 43-42. The next five points went to CSU-Pueblo on a 3-pointer by Kyle Haag and a layup by Jodee Wilson.

CSU-Pueblo’s six-point lead was reduced to 49-46 at the 11:33 mark, but eventually reached eight points, 54-46, with 8:55 remaining. Doss scored on a layup on Eastern’s next possession, and Lehtonen hit a free throw with 7:26 left, as the Zias cut the lead to five points. CSU-Pueblo received a 3-pointer from Haag, her fourth of the game, as the clock passed the 7:00 mark, and never led by less than six points the rest of the way.

Eastern still had an outside shot at catching the Thunderwolves when Mika Robertson (Sr., F, Levelland, TX/Midland HS) nailed a 3-pointer with 26 seconds left to pull the Zias within 64-58. Stacey Nutt secured the win for CSU-Pueblo with two free throws five seconds later.

Robertson led all scorers with 19 points, and was named to the All-Tournament Team. She was 7 of 9 from the floor, including 3 of 4 on three-pointers. She also grabbed four rebounds and earned four steals. She scored just six points in Eastern’s win over Nebraska-Kearney in the first round, but grabbed 10 rebounds, earned two steals and blocked two shots against the Lopers. She was 9 of 15 from the field during the tournament, while averaging 12.5 points and 7.0 rebounds. Haag and Hilary Rehfeld of CSU-Pueblo also were named to the All-Tournament Team.

Other All-Tournament picks were Kalee Modlin of Nebraska-Kearney, Holly Cole of Northern Michigan University and Tiffany Grubaugh of NMU. Grubaugh was chosen MVP, as the Wildcats won the tournament after defeating CSU-Pueblo, 85-81 (OT), and Nebraska-Kearney, 70-67.

Robertson was joined by Doss and Tiana Bryant (Jr., Post, Roswell, NM/University of New Mexico) in double figures against the Thunderwolves. Bryant recorded 13 points, to go with six rebounds and three steals. Doss hit 5 of 7 shots on her way to 12 points. She also grabbed four rebounds and achieved two steals. Lehtonen scored seven points and registered five rebounds.

CSU-Pueblo’s top scorer was Rehfeld, with 13 points. Rehfeld also led the Thunderwolves with 10 rebounds and three blocked shots. Haag totaled 12 points on the night and was 4 of 6 on three-pointers. Ebony Walker contributed 11 points, while Lauren Westerman tallied nine points and six boards. Nutt finished with eight points, five rebounds and three assists. The Thunderwolves shot 46.2% from the field (24 of 52) and made 8 of 19 three-pointers.

Eastern hit 43.6% on field goals (24 of 55), including 4 of 9 on three-point shots. ENMU earned a 32-31 rebounding edge, and stole the ball 15 times, while CSU-Pueblo grabbed 12 steals.

The Zias will play at the Pizza Hut/Fairfield Inn Classic hosted by Missouri Southern State University next weekend. ENMU will play Pittsburg State University (Kan.) on Friday, Nov. 26 at 4 p.m. MST. Eastern will take on Missouri Southern on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 2 p.m. MST.