Zias Lose to 24th-Ranked Angelo State, 82-65, in LSC South Contest
Bryant Scores 18 Points, Cook Adds 13 Points for Zias

Box Score

PORTALES, N.M. — Angelo State University, ranked 24th in NCAA Division II, built a 43-29 lead in the first half, then maintained a double-digit lead for nearly the entire second half, as the Rambelles defeated Eastern New Mexico University, 82-65, in a Lone Star Conference South Division game on Thursday, Jan. 19. ENMU pulled within nine points three times in the second half, including 56-47 with 8:01 remaining, but ASU closed the game on a 26-18 run to lift the Rambelles to 12-4 on the season, 3-0 in the LSC South. Eastern dropped to 8-8 overall, 0-2 in the LSC South.

Although the Zias have lost their first two games in LSC South play — to ASU and at West Texas A&M University, 76-44, on Dec. 30, Eastern has most likely played the two most difficult contests on its LSC South schedule. Both games were on the road, and WTAMU, like ASU, was nationally ranked. The Lady Buffs are currently ranked 17th.

Angelo State scored the game’s first eight points and led 15-4 with 14:39 left in the first half. The Zias cut the lead to 20-14 on a layup and foul shot by Tiana Bryant (Sr., Post, Roswell, NM/University of New Mexico) at the 11:31 mark. Each team added two more points before ASU went on a 11-2 run that extended the lead to 33-18 with 4:43 remaining in the period.

Erika Cook (So., G, Portales, NM/Portales HS) and Heather Brown (Jr., G, Hereford, TX/ Hereford HS) hit back-to-back three-pointers later in the half, as ENMU cut the lead to 38-29 with 1:37 left. ASU recorded the final five points of the half on a 3-pointer by Kandra Lakey and a jump shot by Ashley King.

Eastern’s comeback efforts dropped the margin below 10 points, 46-37, after the Zias began the second half with an 8-3 run. Brittney Gillespie (Fr., Post, Aztec, NM/Aztec HS) completed the rally with a 3-pointer.

The Zias fell behind 54-41 after Lauren Weishuhn hit two free throws for the Rambelles with 9:43 to go, but Eastern scored four straight points at the foul line to get back within nine points with 9:18 left. ENMU cut the lead to nine points one final time, when Bryant sank two free throws with 8:01 on the clock.

A quick 7-1 run by Angelo State gave the Rambelles a 15-point cushion, 63-48, with 7:00 remaining. Lakey, who led ASU with 22 points, scored five points during the run. Those five points, plus four more in the final minute, gave Lakey nine points during the 26-18 run that ended the game for the Rambelles.

Lakey was 8 of 13 from the field and 5 of 6 at the free throw line. She grabbed a game high 11 rebounds and recorded three assists, one block and one steal. She led five ASU players — the entire starting lineup — in double figures. King added 19 points, while Britinee Davis chipped in 12 points. Meghann LeJeune and Asheia Haynes contributed 10 points each.

Led by Lakey’s dominance on the boards, ASU claimed a 37-23 rebounding edge. The Rambelles also connected on 29 of 51 field goals (56.9%), including 13 of 21 (61.9%) over the final 20 minutes. The ASU defense limited Eastern to 34.0% shooting on the night (17 of 50), with the Zias converting just 25.9% of their shots (7 of 27) in the second half.

Bryant led four Zias in double figures, as she scored 18 points, grabbed a team-high seven rebounds and registered five steals. Cook provided 13 points, including three 3-point baskets. Rosalyn Elliott (So., G, Stanley, NM/Lubbock Christian University), in her first season at ENMU, recorded a career-high 12 points, while Brown supplied 10 points and earned four assists.

Both teams performed well at the foul line. ENMU hit 24 of 29 free throws (82.8%), while Angelo State sank 19 of 23 charity shots (82.6%). The Rambelles’ success on field goals and free throws allowed ASU to overcome 21 turnovers. ENMU committed 15 turnovers.

The Zias remain on the road for another Lone Star Conference game on Saturday, Jan. 21, when Eastern takes on Abilene Christian University. Game time in Abilene, Texas, is scheduled for 1 p.m. MST.