Friday, November 13, 2015
DURANGO, COLO. — The Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team (1-0) used a time-tested formula to earn its first season-opening victory since the 2006-07 season. The Greyhounds held a 39-7 advantage in points off turnovers and cruised to an 80-54 win over Adams State (0-1) to open play at the Fort Lewis Skyhawks Regional Challenge at the FLC Whalen Gymnasium.
Sarah Stinnett paced ENMU with 15 points, five assists and a pair of steals.
The win moved the Hounds to 4-5 all-time against the Grizzlies and 3-2 since the 2000-01 season. ENMU also has won three of the last four games against Adams State. The last time Eastern won a season opener also marked the last season with a winning record, as the squad posted a 14-12 mark in the 2006-07 season. ENMU's 26-point margin of victory was the highest since a 75-36 win over University of the Southwest on December 3, 2013.
In the first contest played under the new rules, Eastern outscored the Grizzlies in all four quarters. The Hounds were especially effective late in each half, with a 22-13 edge in the second quarter and a 23-13 advantage in the final quarter, to pull away.
Adams State took its first and only lead of the game, when Cydney McHenry hit a jump shot 43 seconds after tipoff. Eastern responded just seven seconds later, when
Miranda Moore connected on a trey to spark a 7-0 Greyhound run. Eastern never looked back. Stinnett poured in 13 points in the first half, with Eastern holding a 21-0 lead in points off turnovers (having committed just one turnover in the first 20 minutes of play) and a 13-4 advantage in second-chance points.
Eastern led 38-25 at halftime and never allowed the Grizzlies to close within single digits in the second half. The Hounds held a 41-28.6 edge in shooting percentage, a 37.5-29.5 lead from three point range, and an 84-63 percent advantage from the free throw line. ENMU forced 27 turnovers in the game, the most by an opponent since 29 by Texas A&M-Commerce, in February.
Miranda Moore scored 14 points, had three steals, three rebounds, three steals and a six-for-six performance at the free-throw line.
Briana White finished with 13 points, five boards, and a pair of steals, while
Mikaehla Connor added 10 points, six caroms, and two blocks. Johnette Brown paced the Grizzlies with 11 points.
The Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team will continue play at the Fort Lewis Skyhawks Regional Challenge, with a Saturday contest against Fort Lewis. The game is scheduled to tipoff at 4 p.m. MT.