ENMU’s 2nd Half Comeback Falls Short in 60-58 Loss At Kingsville

Box Score

KINGSVILLE, TEXAS — Eastern New Mexico University came back from a second half 15 point deficit to tie the game with just over a minute left, but could not convert down the stretch in a 60-58 Lone Star Conference South Division loss to Texas A&M University-Kingsville on Thursday, Feb. 9 at Kleberg Bank Court. The Zias, who never led in the game, dropped to 9-14 overall and 1-8 in the LSC South. The Javelinas improved their overall record to 5-17 and notched their first LSC South victory in nine games this season.

Eastern’s comeback began at the 14:51 mark of the second half as Megan Ratliff (Jr., G, Farmington, NM/Cochise College) converted a layup to start a 7-0 run to get the Zias to within eight points (42-34) with 13:44 left. The Zias were able to keep up the pressure and caught the Javelinas at 54 with just over five minutes left. After four consecutive points by Kingsville, Heather Brown (Jr., G, Hereford, TX/Hereford HS) and Lindsey Wood (Fr., G, Muleshoe, TX/Muleshoe HS) hit back-to-back baskets to tie the game at 58-58 with 1:46 on the clock. Kingsville’s Kaipresha Price hit a layup on the next possession to regain the lead and Eastern managed only one more attempt on offense in the final seconds, as it lost its third game in a row.

Kingsville scored seven unanswered points to begin the game. Brittney Gillespie (Fr., P, Aztec, NM/Aztec HS) got the Zias on the board with a layup at the 15:54 mark. The Javelinas’ lead grew to 11 points on a layup by Linnae Barber with 4:58 left in the half. The lead grew to 14 points (37-23) by halftime.

Tiana Bryant (Sr., P, Roswell, NM/University of New Mexico) was limited to only 14 first half minutes because of an injury. Eastern was fortunate to be down by only 14 at the break because they converted on only 33% of its field goal attempts. Eastern hit one of its five attempts from the charity stripe and was 2-6 on three-pointers, one by Brown and one by Laura Vote (Fr., G, Kingwood, TX/Kingwood HS).

Kingsville was led in scoring by Jasmine June who finished with a game-high 21 points and led all rebounders with nine. Angela Trotter connected for 12 points to round out players in double digits in scoring for the Javelinas. TAMU-K attained its double figure leads by connecting on 45.5% of its shots from the field in the first half. The Javelinas shot only 38.1% after intermission to allow Eastern back into the game.

The Zias came out of the locker room to shoot 50% in the final 20 minutes. Bryant led Eastern with 14 points and six rebounds. Brown finished with 13 points and three steals. ENMU was outrebounded 41-35 and played good enough defense to force 24 Kingsville turnovers, 15 in the second half. Eastern turned the ball over 18 times.

Eastern will conclude the two-game road trip on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Texas Woman’s University at 6 p.m. MST. The Zias’ final homestand begins on Wednesday, Feb. 15 against Angelo State University at 5:30 p.m. MST. On Saturday, Feb. 18, Eastern will play at 5 p.m. MST against Abilene Christian University.