Thursday, December 8, 2016

PORTALES, NM —The Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team (5-2; LSC 3-0) registered a stellar defensive effort to limit Texas A&M-Commerce (6-3; LSC 2-1) to a 22.4 shooting percentage and 13 field goals, in Thursday night's Lone Star Conference match up. The Hounds cruised to a 75-64 win, Thursday night at Greyhound Arena. Amari Dennis paced five ENMU players in double figures with 16 points.

"This was a great overall performance by our girls," said Head Coach Josh Prock. Defensively, I thought we were very good and took them out of what they wanted to do. Offensively, we executed well for the most part. This team continues to get better and continues to fight hard."

The Hounds matched a season-high eight blocked shots on the way to their fourth consecutive win and the first 3-0 start to Lone Star Conference play since the 1998-99 season. Eastern improved to 32-27 overall against the Lions, with a 20-8 mark at home in the series. Texas A&M-Commerce entered the contest ranked 10^th in the D2SIDA South Central Region Media Poll, while ENMU was receiving votes. The Hounds along with Angelo State and Tarleton State remain the lone undefeated teams in LSC play.

"It's a great feeling to be 3-0 in the Lone Star Conference," added Prock. We can't settle. We have to keep moving forward."

The Turning Point

• After the Lions trimmed a 10-point ENMU lead down to six, 30-25 with 5:25 left in the first half, Johna McClelland hit a jumper with just 13 seconds later
• That bucket ignited a 10-1 Greyhound run, which gave ENMU a 40-25 lead
• A late fourth-quarter run allowed the Lions to close within nine points with 2:10 left, but they could come no closer
• Eastern's pressure defense contributed to 15 Lion turnovers in the first half, which allowed Eastern 17-6 edge in points off turnover during the first two quarters

Beyond the Box Score

• The Greyhounds are 2-1 this season when blocking at least seven shots (8 vs A&M-Commerce, Wayland Baptist, and 7 vs South Dakota Mines)
• Eastern scored 30 points in the paint and is 2-1 this season when reaching that total
• On ENMU's four game win streak, Eastern has trailed in the last three games

 
In the Numbers

• Mikaehla Connor scored 13 points and had a team-high three blocks along with two assists and two steals
• Kassandra Harris chipped in 14 points, five boards and two steals
• Jenna Price led the Lions with 15 points

 
Up Next
For the third contest in a row, the Eastern New Mexico University will face a team without a LSC loss, when they host Tarleton State on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. MST.
"Tarleton's another great team coming in here," said Prock. There are no easy games. Coach Wilson and her staff do a great job and she's going to have them ready to go."