PORTALES, N.M. – A fourth quarter push sent the visiting Buffaloes of West Texas A&M University past the Eastern New Mexico women's basketball team, 68-51, on Thursday evening at Greyhound Arena. The Hounds move to 3-2 on the season, while the Lady Buffs improve to 5-5.

West Texas started the game in control, jumping out to a 7-4 advantage. From then, ENMU rattled off six consecutive points to pull its first lead of the evening. Natalie Stice started with a layup and a free throw, then Bella Stone nailed a long-range basket, 10-7 ENMU. At that point, both teams would trade baskets, with WT finding a last second layup to regain the lead, 16-15 WT.
 
The second frame began with both teams going back and forth with points. WT would hold a slight edge just to have Eastern cut that lead down to a single possession. Two late baskets from Iyanna McCurdy and Julia Chavez left West Texas with just a one-point advantage at halftime, 33-32 WT.
 
Coming out of the locker-room, the Buffs poured in six straight points in the opening stages to hold a 39-32 lead in the first three minutes. However, ENMU would bring the score back to 43-41 after a McCurdy jumper. WT closed the third frame with a late layup to hold a four-point advantage heading into the final quarter, 47-43 WT.
 
The Lady Buffs took control in the fourth quarter, holding the Greyhounds defensively. With the score at 50-49 WT with eight minutes remaining, the Buffs posted a 18-2 stretch to close out the contest. Eventually, the Greyhounds fell in the end 68-51.

NOTABLE STATS

• The Hounds shot 33.9% from the field, 30.0% from the three, and 54.5% from the free throw line. The Lady Buffs provided a 34.8% shooting percentage, 11.8% from three, and 72.0% from the charity stripe.
• The Buffs found 21 points off of turnovers as compared to Eastern's 11.
• Stice led the offense with 15 points, with Kamirah Decker contributing nine points, along with McCurdy and Stacy Ajobiewe chipping in with eight points each.
• Decker collected a game leading 12 rebounds, with Stice being next best with seven boards.
• Stice also paced the team with four assists, while Ajobiewe led the defensive effort with four steals.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Decker posted a career high 12 boards during the game, while Ajobiewe posted a career best eight points, six rebounds, and four steals.
• West Texas still hold the series advantage 16-78 over the Hounds, currently holding a six-game winning streak.
• Eastern look to bounce back against Western New Mexico on Thursday, Dec. 9, as the Hounds will travel to Silver City, N.M. First tip is set for 5:30 p.m.