Saturday, February 25, 2017
PORTALES, NM — Jasmine Hotchkins poured in 16 points to lead the Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team (20-7; LSC 16-4) for the second straight game. Texas A&M-Kingsville (13-13; LSC 8-12) used a strong performance from the field (52%) to rally from an early deficit and hand the Greyhounds their fourth home loss of the season, 85-71, in Lone Star Conference action. Prior to Saturday afternoon's contest, senior forward Kassandra Harris was honored for her accomplishments.
Despite the setback, the Greyhounds are co-Lone Star Conference champions, with their second league title. Although the Hounds shared the title, they earned the top seed for the upcoming LSC Tournament in Allen, Texas, and will open with a rematch against the Javelinas on Thursday at 5 p.m. MT.
The loss snapped a five-game win streak in the series for ENMU. It also marked the Hounds' first two-game skid since November, with setbacks against Fort Lewis and Wayland Baptist.
In the First Half
- Kassandra Harris drove to the basket to score the game's first points, as the Hounds charged to an 11-4 lead
- The Hounds would take their largest lead, 19-11 on a Hotchkins trey with 3:02 left in the opening quarter
- The game went back and forth, but the Javelinas hit 13 of 16 from the free-throw line in the opening half to keep the game close, and held a 43-40 lead at intermission
In the Second Half
- The teams exchanged baskets early in the second half, and the Hounds finally exploded with a 7-2 run capped by Daeshi McCant's layup to seize a 53-47 lead with 5:34 to play in the third quarter
- An Angelica Wilson layup sparked an 18-5 run by the Javelinas, to give the visiting team a65-58 advantage early in the final quarter
- The Hounds pulled within three points, twice, the final time coming on a pair of Brandi Gomez free throws to make the score 69-66, with 5:12 to play
Beyond the Box Score
- The Greyhound bench held a 32-27 edge in scoring over the Javelina reserves
- Texas A&M-Kingsville's 52 percent from the floor was the highest allowed by ENMU this season
In the Numbers
- Harris scored 14 points in her final regular season game for the Hounds
- Gomez and Sarina Johnson each poured in 10 points
- Mikaehla Connor chipped in seven points and five assists
- Tee Moore paced the Javelinas with 15 points