WBB_12_2_WT_McCurdy
55
Winner Eastern N.M. EastNM 4-2,0-0 Lone Star
49
Western N.M. WNMU 3-3,0-0 Lone Star
Winner
Eastern N.M. EastNM
4-2,0-0 Lone Star
55
Final
49
Western N.M. WNMU
3-3,0-0 Lone Star
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Eastern N.M. EastNM 19 22 4 10 55
Western N.M. WNMU 13 11 12 13 49

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | Cameron Brennan

Strong First Half Sends Greyhounds Past Mustangs, 55-49

SILVER CITY, N.M. – A strong first half sent Eastern New Mexico women's basketball past Western New Mexico, 55-49, on Thursday evening at Drag's Court. The Hounds improve to 4-2 overall, with WNMU falling to 3-3 on the season.
 
After falling behind 4-0 in the opening stages of the game, ENMU closed the gap to one point, 6-5 WNMU. After a Mustangs three-pointer, the Hounds posted a 14-4 run during the final six and a half minutes of the opening quarter. The streak started with two free throws from Natalie Stice, followed by a layup from Iyanna McCurdy, and back to back baskets from Hanna Nussbaumer. The quarter ended with McCurdy finding a layup then a jumper, to put the score at 19-13 ENMU.
 
The second frame continued with dominance from the Greyhounds, outscoring the Mustangs 7-2 over the opening 2:25. The run featured baskets from Anasha Hurst and Asha Ross, along with free throws from McCurdy and Ross. Eastern closed the quarter on a 11-3 run over the final 5:12. Hurst started the run with a deep jumper, then Stice, McCurdy, and Alexsis Johnson added field goals giving the Hounds a 41-24 lead at halftime.
 
Out of the locker room, WNMU clamped down defensively, holding the Greyhounds to just 2-16 shooting in the 3rd period. The Hounds still held a 45-36 advantage entering the final frame.
 
The home team continued to chip away at the Eastern lead, bringing the score to 49-44 with 5:16 remaining in the game. From that point, Eastern held defensively till the end of the game. The Hounds only allowed two field goals over the final five minutes, while producing two baskets of their own. Bella Stone hit a three, and Stacy Ajobiewe found a late layup to seal the game 55-49 ENMU.

NOTABLE STATS

  • The Greyhounds finished the evening with 35.5% (22-62) shooting, 16.7% (2-12) from range, and 52.9% (9-17) from the free throw line. WNMU finished 33.3% (19-57) from the field, 33.3% (5-15) on three's, and 75.0% (6-8) at the charity stripe.
  • Both teams grabbed most of their points from the paint, with the Hounds outscoring Western 28-24 in the paint.
  • Stice paced the team in both points and rebounds, with 11 points on nine rebounds. McCurdy and Ajobiewe also added 11 points each in the contest.
  • On the glass, McCurdy and Stone each pulled down six boards.
  • Stone also led the defensive effort with five steals, while McCurdy led the team with two blocks.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • Ajobiewe marked a personal best 11 points on the night, while Nussbaumer also found a career best five points. McCurdy set a scoring best with the Hounds (11 points), while Stone tied a career best in rebounds (6) and steals (5).
  • The Greyhounds now hold a 25-6 series advantage following tonight's win. ENMU have now won five straight games against WNMU.
  • Eastern is now 3-0 when playing in Silver City, N.M. this season, with wins against Fort Lewis 76-57 (Nov.12), and New Mexico Highlands 56-51 (Nov. 13).
  • The Hounds next play in Greyhound arena when they welcome Cameron University on Tuesday, Dec. 14. First tip is set to 2 p.m.