Saturday, February 13, 2016

PORTALES, N.M. — Just two short days removed from a 15-point comeback win at Cameron, the Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team (10-13; LSC 5-8) staged a dramatic sequel in a 76-72 Lone Star Conference victory over Midwestern State (4-19; LSC 3-10). The Greyhounds closed the third quarter with a 25-4 run to erase a 19-point deficit, on the way to their third straight win at Greyhound Stadium.

"It was the same kind of win." Said head coach Joshua Prock. "Getting down wasn't fun. It was good to get the win." The victory snapped an eight-game skid for ENMU in the series with Midwestern. The last win was a 70-62 decision on December 31, 2012.

The Greyhounds relied on their speed much of the game and enjoyed a 27-2 lead in fast break points, which included a 14-0 edge in the second half. "Obviously we scored and that helps," said Prock. But we need to continue to fight on defense and that's how we won tonight."

The teams traded buckets early on, with a Sarah Stinnett layup staking ENMU to its final lead of the first half, 8-7, less than four minutes into the game. Midwestern State responded with a 9-3 run and took its largest lead to that point, 16-11, late in the quarter. After a fast break bucket from Eliza Martinez, the Mustangs fired right back with an 11-3 run, for a 27-16 lead early in the second quarter.

Midwestern State continued to control play and held a 23-10 edge in first-half rebounds. With a 40-29 halftime lead, MSU opened the second half with a 10-2 surge to seize a 50-31 lead on a Whitney Taylor layup with 7:43 left in the third quarter.

A trey from Sarah Stinnett ignited a 28-4 ENMU run over the next 7:55 of play. Jordyn Cooper drained a three-point basket as the third quarter expired to give Eastern a 56-54 lead. She followed with a trey to extend the lead as the final quarter opened. ENMU led by eight points, 68-60, with 6:44 to play, but the Mustangs used a 10-2 run to pull even at 70-all with 1:58 left in the game. Midwestern State had a chance to take the lead on a shot from Jacquar Westbrooks with 1:24 left, but Stinnett grabbed the rebound and drained a three-point basket with less than one minute on the clock to give the Hounds a 73-70 lead. With free throws from Mikaehla Connor and Jasmine Hotchkins, Eastern sealed the win.

In rallying for the win, the Greyhounds overcame a 50-27 deficit in rebounding and a 14-0 deficit in second-chance points. Eastern held a 32-22 lead in points scored in the paint, and a 49.2-39.1 percent edge in shooting percentage. Stinnett had her second straight 20-point game and poured in a season-best 28 points, with four steals, and three assists. Jordyn Cooper had 14 points for Eastern and hit four-for-six from outside the three-point line. Miranda Moore chipped in six points and matched a season-high with six assists. Taylor led MSU with 20 points and eight rebounds.

The Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team will return to action on Wednesday, to play Tarleton State. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. MT.