Friday, November 14, 2014
                                                                                      
GOLDEN, COLO. — Senior forward Tori Tucker (Portales, N.M./Floyd HS/Howard College) poured in 22 points and grabbed six rebounds, but the Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team (0-1) dropped a 60-58 heartbreaker to Colorado School of Mines (1-0) in the opening round of the Tony Corbetta Classic. Jasmine Johnson (Sr., P, DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto HS) also contributed nine points and a career-best 15 rebounds.
 
The meeting was the second between the programs. The Orediggers claimed a 53-36 decision in Goodwell, Okla., on November 17, 2000.
 
After back and forth action, Colorado Mines took a 20-17 lead on a Taylor Helbig trey with 8:44 left in the first half but a fast break layup from Jasmine Johnson (Sr., P, DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto HS) started a stretch of nine straight Zia points, which extended into a 17-3 run. The surge was capped by a pair of Shayla Williams (Jr., PG, Oklahoma City, Okla./Butler CC) jumpers, to give Eastern a 34-23 lead with 2:43 left in the first period. After an exchange of baskets, ENMU held a 36-27 advantage at halftime.
 
ENMU seized its largest lead of the game, 43028 on a Jaylyn Cooper (Jr., G, Texico, N.M./Texico HS) three-point bucket, with 16:38 left, but the Orediggers exploded on a 17-2 run over the ensuing 4:49 to knot the score at 45-all on an Elizabeth Tomon layup with 11:20 remaining. The Zias responded with a 12-4 run which consisted of three treys from Tucker and one from Jordyn Cooper (Jr., G, Texico, N.M./Texico HS) to take a 57-49 lead with 8:51 left in the contest. Colorado Mines scored 11 of the final 12 points of the game and took their only lead of the second half on a Courtney Martin layup with 1:51 left.
 
The Zias held a 35.9-33.3 percent edge in shooting percentage, which included a decisive 34.8-29.2 percent lead from three-point range. Sarah Stinnett (Jr., G, Fort Sumner, N.M./Howard College) finished with nine points and five rebounds, while Williams added six points, five boards and two assists. Dominique Carpenter (Fr., PG, Albuquerque, N.M./Cibola HS) dished out four assists. Martin and Laura Tyree each had 12 points and six rebounds for Colorado-Mines.
 
The Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team will resume play at the Tony Corbetta Classic on Saturday, to take on University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. MT.
 
Notes
The win was the fifth straight for Colorado Mines, after winning four to close the 2013-14 season
 
Tucker has five 20-point games in her ENMU career. In her last, she scored a career-best 29 against Tarleton State
 
Tucker's six three-point baskets matched a career-high, set at Wayland Baptist on December 13, 2013