Abilene Christian Pulls Away in Second Half
for 72-53 LSC South Win over Zias
ENMU Can't Overcome 13-0 Run by Wildcats

Box Score not yet available

PORTALES, N.M. — Eastern New Mexico University shot poorly at just 29.5% and Abilene Christian University extended a five-point halftime lead with a 13-0 run early in the second half, as the Wildcats pulled away from the Zias for a 72-53 Lone Star Conference win, Feb. 10 at Moody Coliseum. The Zias dropped to 9-13 overall, 3-6 in the LSC South, while ACU improved to 15-6 overall, 6-2 in the LSC South.

The Zias and the Wildcats combined for 50 turnovers, while the officials whistled 50 fouls. The game was decided by a 13-0 run from ACU during a 6:20 span of the second half. ACU began the run leading by two points, 41-39, with 17:48 left in the game. After the run, the Wildcats held a 54-39 advantage with 11:28 remaining.

ACU was led by Jamie Boles, who provided a game-high 24 points and 10 rebounds. Alex Guiton tacked on 16 points, two assists and three steals. Meredith Doyle contributed a game-high eight assists, to go with nine points and five boards.

Eastern fell behind early in the game by as many as twelve points, as ACU built a 23-11 lead with 9:15 left in the first half. The Zias struggled to put the ball into the basket, making only 29.0% of their shots (9 of 31) in the first 20 minutes. Even so, the halftime score was respectable, with ACU leading 35-30 after an 11-4 run by the Zias in the final 5:20 of the half.

ENMU’s shooting woes continued in the second half, as the Zias connected on a mere 30.0% (9 of 30) from the floor. The Zias did cut the lead to only two points just 2:12 into the half, but could not get closer the remainder of the game.

The Wildcats responded to the threat by going on a 15-2 scoring spree that included the 13-0 run. After the run, ENMU ended its scoreless streak with a layup by Loren Scarlett (Sr., Post, Throckmorton, TX/Throckmorton HS) with 9:11 left. Boles scored on jumper to return ACU to a nearly insurmountable 15-point lead, 56-41, with 8:54 left.

With the win, ACU moved into sole possession of second place in the LSC South, only a half-game behind division leader Angelo State University. The Rambelles (19-2, 7-1 LSC South) defeated West Texas A&M, 50-43, on Feb. 10.

The Zias were led by senior forward Mika Robertson (Levelland, TX/Midland College) with 10 points, including 5-for-6 free throw shooting. Scarlett scored nine points, grabbed seven rebounds and had three steals, while Tia Doss (Jr., F, Albuquerque, NM/Highland HS) scored eight points to go along with six rebounds.

ENMU travels to Angelo State for its next game on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. MST. The Zias will remain on the road for games against Texas A&M University-Commerce on Feb. 17 and Midwestern State University on Feb. 19. The Zias will return to Greyhound Arena for their final two home games of the regular season on Feb. 24 against Texas Woman’s University and on Feb. 26 against Texas A&M University-Kingsville.