Wednesday, February 17, 2016

PORTALES, N.M. — Sarah Stinnett registered another superlative game for the Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team (10-14; LSC LSC 5-9). IN Wednesday's Lone Star Conference game against Tarleton State (15-9; LSC 9-5), she poured in 17 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out four assists. The TexAnns charged to an early lead and held on for a 76-60 win at Greyhound Arena.

"Sarah has been phenomenal over the last three games," said ENMU head coach Joshua Prock. "We appreciate what she's done and need her to continue to play at a high level like that." Over the last three contests, Stinnett has averaged 23.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and shot .450 from the floor.

Brenna Fuller hit a layup to stake Tarleton State to a 2-0 lead, but ENMU answered with jumpers from Johna McClelland and Brittany Gutierrez to seize a 4-2 advantage, 1:06 into the game. The TexAnns answered with an 8-0 run fueled by six points from Ikpeaku Iwobi to take the lead for good, 10-4. Eastern managed to pull within four points on two occasions, with the final time coming on a Stinnett jumper with 3:49 left in the opening quarter for a 14-10 score.

Tarleton State led 34-18, midway through the second quarter, but a short jumper from Kassandra Harris ignited 10-2 Greyhound run, capped by a trey from Gutierrez. The surge pulled Eastern within eight points, 36-28, with 5:42 left in the half. In the second half, the TexAnns led by as many as 26 points and held on for the win.

Eastern enjoyed a 14-4 lead in fast break points. Over the last two contests, ENMU has outscored the opposition by a 41-6 margin on the fast break. Although Tarleton State held a 32-31 advantage on the boards, but the Hounds held a 12-7 edge on the offensive glass. Harris scored seven points, while McClelland added six points and seven rebounds. Eliza Martinez scored four points and had four boards, but saw her 10-game, blocked-shot streak come to an end. Miranda Moore had seven points and three assists, while Gutierrez chipped in seven points. Bailey Wipff and Iwobi each contributed 13 points for Tarleton State.

The Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team will return to action, when the visit Texas A&M-Commerce. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. MT.