Women's Basketball | 1/6/2015 10:05:00 AM

Tuesday, January 06, 2015
                                                                                                      
PORTALES, N.M. — After winning three of their last four games, the Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team (4-6) is set to open Lone Star Conference play. On Wednesday, the Zias will visit Cameron University (3-6), with a home game against Midwestern State (11-1; LSC 2-0) on Sunday.
 
In the Numbers
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Over the four-game stretch, Eastern has posted wins over Texas A&M-International, Northern New Mexico and Florida Southern; and outscored the opposition by a 67.8-65 margin. Over those games, ENMU has held an advantage in all three shooting categories, rebounding and assists. Tori Tucker (Sr., F, Portales, N.M./Floyd HS/Howard College) has led the way with 14.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.5 steals per game. Sarah Stinnett (Jr., G, Fort Sumner, N.M./Howard College) has been right behind, with 12.8 points and a .533 shooting percentage from outside the three-point arc.
 
Last season, ENMU posted a record of 6-20, with a 4-12 mark in Lone Star Conference play.
 
Since the 2010-11 season, only Precious Herrin (16 ppg) has averaged more points per contest than Tori Tucker (Sr., F, Portales, N.M./Floyd HS/Howard College) (12 ppg). Jordyn Cooper (Jr., G, Texico, N.M./Texico HS) has been the top three-point shooter over that span, with a .360 shooting percentage and 103 three-point buckets. Tucker also is the program's top rebounder over those years, with 6.6 per game, while Jasmine Johnson (Sr., P, DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto HS) leads the team with 444 total rebounds.
 
Fast Facts
 

• Four of the Zias six losses this season have come by a combined 17 points, with the largest margin of those games being nine points against Texas-Permian Basin.
• Eastern has only been outrebounded three times this season, against Colorado-Mines, Lubbock Christian and tenth-ranked Tampa
• In seven of ten games, ENMU has held a halftime lead.
• Lubbock Christian and Tampa are the only opponents to hit more three-pointers than the Zias in a game this season.

 
Around the Conference
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Midwestern State sits on top of the LSC standings with a 2-0 record, while Texas Woman's has split its first two league games. Tarleton State and Texas A&M-Commerce both dropped their LSC openers. Last season, West Texas A&M defeated Tarleton State for the tournament championship after winning the LSC title in the regular season.

Cameron University Aggies
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Cameron is 3-6 entering this week's contest, with wins over Harding, Southeastern Oklahoma State and Northwestern Oklahoma State. The Aggies have won two straight and are 2-2 in games played in the Sooner state.
 
Last year, the Aggies posted a 13-14 record and placed eighth in LSC play with a 5-11 mark. In the LSC tournament, Cameron dropped a 63-54 decision to West Texas A&M.
 
Midwestern State
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Midwestern State is 11-1 entering this week and 2-0 in LSC play. Prior to visiting Portales, the Mustangs will host West Texas A&M. Since a setback against Emporia State, MSU has won 10 consecutive games, which includes victories over Lubbock Christian, Arkansas-Ft. Smith and St. Mary's.
 
Last year, Midwestern State posted an 18-12 record and placed fourth in LSC play with a 9-7 mark. In the LSC tournament, the Mustangs defeated Angelo State in the opening round, before falling to West Texas A&M, 86-85, in an overtime heartbreaker. Colorado Mesa defeated MSU in the NCAA regional, by a 60-49 score.
 
Inside the Series
 
The Zias have won three of the last five meetings with the Cameron Aggies, which included a 70-61 home victory, last season. Eastern's last road win over the Aggies came on December 12, 2009, by a 79-74 score. The Zias held a 19-point lead in the game and were paced by Cat Clay's 22 points and Lace Clark's 15 points.
 
The Zias are 17-23 overall in the series against Midwestern State and have dropped the last four meetings. Last season, Tucker averaged 10 points, 6.5 rebounds 2.5 assists and a steal in two games against the Mustangs. Johnson was right behind, with 9.5 points and eight boards in those contests.
 
At home, ENMU dropped a heartbreaker, 71-69, on Andrea Carter's layup with four seconds left, giving MSU the win. The Zias held a 46.6-44.1 percent advantage in shooting percentage, but the Mustangs countered with a 16-5 lead in second-chance points. Tucker paced ENMU with 15 points, eight caroms, three assists and a steal, while Jordyn Cooper chipped in 12 points.
 
The Zias last defeated Midwestern State at home on December 31, 2012, behind an 18-point effort from Ashlee Pierson. Eastern scored 40 points in the paint, while allowing just 24, and outscored MSU by a 21-14 margin off turnovers.
 
 
Looking Ahead
 
After hosting Midwestern State and Texas A&M-Kingsville, the Zias will hit the road for games at Angelo State, Texas A&M-Commerce and Texas Woman's. Eastern will close out the month at home, against Tarleton State and West Texas A&M.