ENMU Falls Short in 2 Comebacks in a 82-78 Loss To West Texas

Box Score

PORTALES, N.M. — Eastern New Mexico University came back from two double-digit deficits, but fell short in the final minutes in a 82-78 loss to nationally ranked West Texas A&M University in a Lone Star Conference South Division game on Feb. 6 at Greyhound Arena. Prior to the game, the Zias lost their fourth starter this season, Erika Cook (So., G, Portales, NM/Portales HS), for the season due to a broken hand suffered in a loss this past Saturday, Feb. 4, to Texas Woman’s University. The Zias dropped their overall record to 9-13 and have won only one of eight games this season in the LSC South. The 19th ranked Lady Buffs improved to 18-3 overall and 7-1 in the LSC South.

With 9:41 left to play, ENMU came roaring back with a 25-10 run over the next seven plus minutes. The run started with five points by Zia leading scorer Tiana Bryant (Sr., P, Roswell, NM/University of New Mexico). Megan Ratliff (Jr., G, Farmington, NM/Cochise College) also provided five points in the run on three free throws and a layup. As the leading free throw shooter in the LSC, Heather Brown (Jr., G, Hereford, TX/Hereford HS) scored six points in the run by hitting all six of her attempts from the charity stripe.

Up by only a point with just over two and half minutes to play, the Lady Buffs’ Kara Pridey made it a three-point game on a layup at the 2:08 mark. After a missed three-pointer by Eastern, Bryant committed her fourth foul to send Jennifer Brock to the charity stripe where her conversions gave West Texas a five point lead with just over a minute left on the clock. Once again, the Zias could not convert , forcing Bryant into her fifth foul of the game and two more free throws by Emily Brister put the Lady Buffs up by seven. Brown’s third three-pointer of the game with four ticks on the clock was too little, too late as Eastern lost its seventh game out of the last eight.

Eastern played in a catch-up mode throughout the game with its last lead (10-9) coming with 15:39 to play in the first half. ENMU gave up nine consecutive points after the one point lead, but answered with a 6-0 run on two three-pointer by Bryant and Ashley Sutton (Jr., G, Italy, TX/Tyler Junior College), respectively. The Lady Buffs increased the lead to 15 points (40-25), utilizing a 21-9 run over a 6:46 span. ENMU was able to cut into the lead in the final minutes to go into intermission down 44-33. Brittany Gillespie (Fr., P, Aztec, NM/Aztec HS) finished with 10 points to record a career-high in scoring in just the first half of play.

The Zias opened up the second half with an 11-3 run featuring three-pointers by Brown and Bryant. West Texas regained control, starting with five consecutive points to begin a 17-4 run which would give it the 16 point lead, its biggest of the game, at the 9:41 mark. Four Zias finished in double-digits in scoring, led by Bryant’s 22 points which included hitting three out of four from three point land, on her way to the 11th time she has scored 20 or more points in a game this season. Her 18 points and 8.9 rebounds per game averages is good for third place in the LSC in each category. Brown poured in 21 points and dished out a game-high seven assists as she was a perfect 8-8 at the charity stripe. Gillespie saw limited action in the second half because of foul trouble, finishing with 12 points. Missy Kirkland (Jr., G, Arlington, TX/Hill College) scored 11 points and Ratliff finished with her second highest point total with seven and a career and team-high nine rebounds.

West Texas also had four players score in double-figures, led by a game high 24 points by Emily Brister. Jennifer Brock scored 20 points, with 12 coming from the free throw line. Natalie Wheeler contributed 11 points, while 6’5” post player Alicia Saunders had a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

Eastern will return to the road after finishing a five-game homestand, its longest of the year. On Thursday, Feb. 9 at 5 p.m. MST, the Zias will play at Texas A&M University-Kingsville who they beat this past Thursday at Greyhound Arena. Eastern will conclude the two-game road trip on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. MST with a rematch against Texas Woman’s University. ENMU returns for its final two home games, beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 15 against Angelo State University at 5:30 p.m. MST. On Saturday, Feb. 18 at 5 p.m. MST, the Zias will finish its home schedule against Abilene Christian University.