SILVER CITY, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico women's basketball closed out its weekend trip to Silver City, N.M. with a fourth quarter comeback in a 56-51 victory over New Mexico Highlands University. The Greyhounds move to 2-0, while the Cowgirls are set back to 0-2.
 
After an opening trading of baskets, ENMU found themselves with a 10-7 lead with just five minutes to play in the first quarter. The Hounds would end the period on a 7-0 run with Kamirah Decker starting the stretch with two layups. An ENMU free throw was paired with a Natalie Stice three to close the first 10 minutes, 18-7 ENMU.
 
In the second stanza, the Cowgirls started to heat up. New Mexico Highlands sparked a 20-4 run, and taking their first lead of the afternoon 27-24. Stice stopped the run with a layup, as both teams headed to the locker room with the Cowgirls ahead 27-26.

The third frame saw NMHU jump out to its largest lead of the game, 33-28, at the start. Eastern pulled the gap back, with Bella Stone sinking a shot from range to bring the score within one, 33-32. Each team went back and forth as the quarter dwindled away, sending the Cowgirls into the final frame with a 40-38 advantage.
 
Within the first possession of the final quarter, ENMU tied the game at 40-40, but NHMU sprung a 5-0 run to build some space. From then, the Hounds clamped down on defense for the next seven minutes, halting the Cowgirls offense. This resulted in a 12-0 by the Hounds, to take a 52-45 lead with just under a minute to play. The Hounds run saw Anasha Hurst connect on a three and adding a layup, while Stice found the cup twice, with Decker poured in one basket. New Mexico Highlands would not go away in the final minute, but clinical free throws from Stice sealed the Hounds victory, 56-51. Stice went 4-4 from the charity stripe in the final minute.

NOTABLE STATS

• ENMU shot 34.5% from the field (20-58), while holding the Cowgirls to just 29.0% shooting from the field (18-62). The Hounds controlled the glass with 40 rebounds, as compared to NMHU's 32 boards.
• Stice provided a double-double with 18 points (5-17 FG, 1 3FGM, and 7-8 FT), along with 11 rebounds, and two steals, all of which led Eastern.
• Decker provided 12 points (6-12 FG) along with eight rebounds, while Hurst supplied 10 points (3-8 FG, 2-4 3PT, 2-5 FT) from the bench.
• MeMe Amand and Asha Ross added six rebounds apiece, while Stone paced the team with four assists.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Stice notched a career high with 11 rebounds, while setting a season high for points with 18. Stice also recorded their first double-double of their career.
• Decker tied a career high for rebounds with eight, while Hurst matched a career best with 10 points.
• ENMU has now won seven consecutive games against NMHU, dating back to Nov. 24, 2015. The Hounds hold a series advantage over the Cowgirls 41-8.
• The Greyhounds will turn to Denver, Colo., as the Hounds will travel to face Regis University on Wednesday evening, Nov. 17. The contest will commence at 7 p.m.