Saturday, December 10, 2016

PORTALES, N.M. —For the third time in as many games, the Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team (6-2; LSC 4-0) handed an opponent its first loss in Lone Star Conference play. With 3:24 left in regulation, a 7-0 Greyhound run keyed ENMU's 73-68 win over Tarleton State (4-5; LSC 3-1), Saturday at Greyhound Arena. Kassandra Harris paced the Hounds with 16 points and nine rebounds.

The win snapped the TexAnns 19-game win streak over ENMU and gave the Hounds their first win in the series since the 2006-07 finale. The win also gave ENMU its first 4-0 record in LSC play since the 1998-99 season. The nine-point deficit Eastern faced was the second largest in a win this season.

"I thought in the second half, the girls adjusted very well and did a tremendous job of executing and finishing the game," said Prock. "They kept getting second and third opportunities and that's what allowed them to keep the lead. We have to do a better job of blocking out and securing rebounds. We've been really good at rebounding all year."

The Turning Point

• Tarleton State held a 31-25 lead with just 1:05 to play in the first half, but a three-point bucket from Jasmine Hotchkins ignited a 5-1 run, which cut the halftime deficit to just two points.
• The TexAnns pulled even at 60-all on a pair of Bailey Wipff free throws with 3:24 to play in the fourth
• ENMU's Johna McClelland hit a jumper just eight seconds later to spark a 7-0 Greyhound run, capped by an Amari Dennis trey for a 67-60 lead

Beyond the Box Score

• McClelland's 14 points matched a career high (SD Mines), and her seven rebounds were also a career mark
• Eastern's 43 points in the second half was the second-highest total this year, behind 47 at West Texas A&M
• The Hounds are now 4-1 in games decided by five points or less and have won three in a row
• Eastern held Tarleton State to two-for-12 from three-point range in the second half, with no three-point baskets in the final quarter
• The lead changed hands six times in the game, with nine tie scores

 

In the Numbers

• With 16 points, Harris led the Hounds in scoring for the third time this season
• Dennis poured in 12 points and dished out four assists
• Daeshi McCants and Brandi Gomez each added eight points
• ENMU scored 14 points off turnovers and has reached double figures in that category in all eight games this season
• Mikaehla Connor had two blocked shots to go with her seven points and three assists
• Mackenzie Hailey paced Tarleton State with 26 points and five boards

The Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team will return to action tomorrow afternoon for an exhibition game at University of Texas-Arlington. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. MST.