Saturday, February 21, 2015
STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS — The Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team has staged numerous rallies from double digit deficits this season and used a 14-4 run over the waning minutes of Saturday's Lone Star Conference contest at Wisdom Gym to close within seven points. Tarleton State connected on late free throws to hold on for a 77-68 win over Eastern, despite a combined 42 points from
Sarah Stinnett (Jr., G, Fort Sumner, N.M./Howard College) and
Tori Tucker (Sr., F, Portales, N.M./Floyd HS/Howard College).
With 10 points and 10 rebounds,
Jasmine Johnson (Sr., P, DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto HS) registered the third double double of her career, which was her first since a 12-point, 10-rebound effort last season against Texas Woman's. It also was the third double double of the season for the Zias.
The first half featured seven lead changes, with ENMU taking its final lead, 18-17 on a layup from
Cassidy Doherty (Jr., G, Folsom, N.M./Melrose HS) with 13:15 on the clock. The TexAnns answered with a 10-2 run, which spanned 3:04 of play, for a 27-20 advantage. After back and forth action, Tarleton State held a 34-28 lead, when Tucker drained a pair of free throws followed by a Stinnett trey, to pull the Zias within a single point, 34-33, with 5:42 left in the half. Karli Moore scored three straight points to spark a 13-2 TSU run, which was capped by Ikpeaku Iwobi's jumper to open the second half and gave the TexAnns a 47-35 edge.
Tarleton State stretched its lead all the way to 67-49, with 6:09 left in the game, but a Stinnett trey ignited a 17-6 surge from Eastern, which was capped by a pair of Doherty free throws to cut the deficit to 73-66 with 58 seconds left. Bailey Wipff hit four free throws as Tarleton State held on for the win.
ENMU held a 15-7 edge in points off turnovers and forced 17 miscues from the TexAnns. Stinnett poured in 23 points for her fourth outing with at least 20, in addition to three steals and a pair of assists. Tucker had 19 points, nine rebounds and connected on all eight of her free throws. Tucker has connected on 31straight free throws dating back to a miss in the first half, early this month at Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Jordyn Cooper (Jr., G, Texico, N.M./Texico HS) chipped in 10 points, while Doherty had a career-high nine assists. Kathy Thomas paced Tarleton State with 17 points.
The Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team will conclude their 2014-15 regular season, next Saturday, when they visit West Texas A&M. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. MT.