Wednesday, March 02, 2016

ALLEN, TEXAS — For three about quarters, the Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team (10-17) had things going their way at the Lone Star Conference tournament at the Allen Events Center. The Hounds took a five-point lead on a Mikaela Connor layup early in the second half, but second-seeded Angelo State (20-7) surged to a 71-60 victory.

"You have to give them credit," said ENMU head coach Josh Prock. "They had kids that made some tough shots. We didn't make some shots. Sometimes it just goes that way."

The game concluded a season full of accomplishments for the Greyhounds. For the first time since the 2006-07 season, the team reached double digit victories. During the game, senior guard Sarah Stinnett became the 28^th player in team history to reach the 700-point mark for a career. Her 13 points lifted her career total to 705 points. With a team-high 16 points, Connor came within two of her career-high.

"When you get this far and into the conference tournament, you almost have to be perfect to advance," said Stinnett. "I've enjoyed playing in front of hometown crowds (in the last two seasons.)"

"Our shots didn't fall, but we played our best," said Connor. "I think the last few games we were beaten on the offensive boards, but we really focused on that." She added on the Hounds' 20-10 lead on the offensive boards.

As the Hounds matched a team record with 36 three-point attempts, Prock commented "That's what Angelo (State) gave us. They clamped down on the inside. Sometimes you have to take what they give you."

Just 5:02 into the game, Angelo State had taken a 15-7 lead after Taylor Dorsey drained a three-point bucket. After an exchange pushed ASU's lead to nine, Jasmine Hotchkins drained a trey. The tide wasn't turned, but the momentum began to shift away from the Rambelles. Bree Mitchell hit a three-point basket at the end of the period to give Angelo State a 26-18 lead.

Connor opened the second quarter with a pair of treys, sandwiched around a layup. Jordyn Cooper followed with a three-point bucket and Miranda Moore punctuated the 13-0 run with a jumper to give ENMU a 31-26 lead. Angelo State finally scored 4:59 into the quarter on a Lexi Murphy trey. Eastern held an 18-8 lead in second quarter points and a 36-34 halftime lead after Stinnett's jumper with four second left. In three games against the Rambelles this season, it marked the first time ENMU led at half.

Connor would hit a pair of free throws early in the second half to give ENMU a five-point lead.  Angelo State answered with a 6-0 run to seize a 40-39 lead, but ENMU answered to take two more leads. The final advantage came on a Hotchkins trey with 5:05 on the clock for a 46-44 lead. The Rambelles scored the next 16 points and held on for the win.

Eastern's five rebound advantage (52-47) was its best performance on the boards since holding a 10-rebound lead in a come-from-behind win at Cameron, last month. The Hounds capitalized with a 16-10 lead in second-chance points. ENMU held a 40-34.4 advantage in shooting percentage, which favored ASU by a 38.7-20.5 percent margin in the second half.

Hotchkins hit three of her six three-point shots and matched a career-best with nine points. Harris approached a third double double this season and posted eight points and 10 rebounds. Connor grabbed eight boards and dished out three assists, while Stinnett had seven rebounds. Moore, Brittany Gutierrez, and Eliza Martinez each blocked a shot. Taylor Dorsey paced ASU with 20 points and seven rebounds.