Three Zias Record Career Highs in 87-61 Win over WNMU

Box Score

SILVER CITY, N.M. — The Eastern New Mexico University women’s basketball team began the 2005-06 season with a bang, as the Zias easily defeated Western New Mexico University, 87-61, Tuesday, Nov. 15 at the Mustang Fieldhouse. Riikka Lehtonen (Sr., Post, Turku, Finland/Ranger College) was the leading scorer in the game, as she scored a career-high 17 points to give the Zias a 1-0 record. Tiana Bryant (Sr., Post, Roswell, NM/University of New Mexico) recorded a double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing a career-best 13 rebounds, while Portales native Erika Cook (So., G, Portales, NM/Portales HS) attained her career high, 12 points, all in the first half. The Lady Mustangs, also playing their season-opener, dropped to 0-1.

Eastern took the lead for good, 9-8, early in the first half on a Bryant basket just 3:58 into the game. Cook hit the first of her two three-pointers with 13:17 to play and finished the half by scoring nine points in the final 3:58. She was 6 of 6 at the charity stripe. The Zias took a commanding 40-26 lead into the locker room.

ENMU’s lead grew to a high of 32 points in the second half, including a 13-0 run in a 2:42 span for a 62-31 lead with 14:52 left. Two free-throws by Lehtonen with 17:34 to play, started the run for the Zias.

Lehtonen’s previous career best for scoring was 12 points against Texas Woman’s University last season (Jan. 27, 2005). Bryant’s 13 rebounds surpassed her previous best of 11, which she recorded in the final game of 2004-05 against Texas A&M University-Kingsville (Feb. 26, 2005). The 12 points by Cook allowed her to reach double-digit scoring for the second time in her career. Her first double-digit game was as a freshman last year, when she scored 10 points against Texas A&M University-Commerce (Jan. 20, 2005).

Tannesia Manley led the Lady Mustangs with 14 points and eight rebounds. Sarah Bennetts added 13 points and six boards. WNMU was hurt by 26 turnovers, including 19 in the second half, as the Zias ran away with the game.

Heather Brown (Jr., G, Hereford, TX/Hereford HS) was the fourth Zia to record double-digit scoring. She tallied 11 points and provided a team-leading eight assists. After missing last season, Elizabeth Richards (Jr., F, Texico, NM/Texico HS), returned to Eastern New Mexico University as a starter and recorded nine points against the Lady Mustangs.

Newcomers Rochelle Vance (Jr., F, Duncanville, TX/Frank Phillips College) and Missy Kirkland (Jr., G, Arlington, TX/Hill College) were effective in their first game in an Eastern uniform. Rochelle recorded six points and eight rebounds, and Kirkland scored seven points to go with seven rebounds.

ENMU will play the Lady Mustangs again on Tuesday, Nov. 22, in Eastern’s home opener. Game time at Greyhound Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. (MST).