PORTALES, N.M. – Iyanna McCurdy found a career high 24 points on the afternoon, but Midwestern State University bested Eastern New Mexico women's basketball 79-70 on Saturday afternoon. The Hounds fall to 8-9 overall and 4-7 in Lone Star Conference (LSC) play. The Mustangs move to 11-9 on the season and 5-5 in LSC action.
 
From the opening tip, Midwestern jumped out to an early 7-3 lead. That lead didn't last long, as the Hounds scored seven straight points in the span of three minutes and twenty-one seconds. Natalie Stice found four points in the run, and both Julia Chavez and Kamirah Decker converted baskets, 10-7 ENMU. With the score at 10-10, each team closed the quarter with separate scoring runs. Eastern found a 4-0 run, then MSU finished the quarter on a 5-2 stretch, 16-15 ENMU.
 
The Mustangs began the second quarter with hot shooting as they overtook the Hounds 33-24 midway through the frame. However, that sparked an ENMU run to tie the game at 35-35, an 11-2 streak. First, McCurdy made a layup through contact and converted the following free throw. Then, McCurdy hit two more free throws, and Asha Ross, McCurdy, and Chavez all found a bucket. Midwestern ended the half on a 5-0 stretch, taking a 40-35 lead into the locker room.
 
Both teams traded baskets in the opening stages of the third period, until MSU found five straight points to hold a 52-41 edge with 6:22 to play. The Hounds tried to cut away at the lead with two baskets from Ross and a layup from Stice, but the Mustangs matched the Hounds for every point. The quarter ended with the Hounds trailing 65-55.
 
Eastern came out of the gates to start the fourth quarter, with Ross and McCurdy converting three-point plays, taking the score to 65-61 MSU with 6:28 to play. Each team went back and forth with scoring possessions, with McCurdy taking over the Hounds offense. McCurdy found nine points in the final frame, keeping the Hounds just four points away, 69-65 MSU with 5:12 remaining. From then, efficient shooting and free throws saw the Mustangs take the game over the Hounds, by a score of 79-70 MSU.

NOTABLE STATS

• Eastern finished shooting 43.3% (26-60) from the field, 2-5 at a distance, and 57.1% (16-28) at the free throw line. Midwestern complied a 47.3% (26-55) shooting percentage, 30.0% (6-20) from behind the arc, and 67.7% (21-31) at the charity stripe.
• The Mustangs bested the Greyhounds for rebounds (41-32), while ENMU poked away more steals (16-11).
• McCurdy led all scorers with 24 points on 8-13 shooting, 8-11 from the foul line. Stice chipped in 13 points, while Ross added 11 points from the bench.
• Also leading the rebounding effort, McCurdy came away with eight rebounds, while Ross and Anasha Hurst each pulled down five boards each.
• Leading the team in assists and blocks, McCurdy found three assists and one block on the afternoon. Bella Stone poked away a team high four steals, with Stice finding three steals.

FROM THE SOURCE

"We did a great job getting the ball inside and attacking the basket" said Head Women's Basketball Coach Meghan De los Reyes. "Iyanna McCurdy and Asha Ross were both in attack mode all game, resulting in career highs for both" said De los Reyes. "Our defense raised a lot of havoc, causing 23 turnovers. Going into Monday's game, we'll bring intensity while getting back to rebounding like we have all year." 

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Midwestern still hold the all-time series lead over the Hounds, 30-21.
• McCurdy provided a career best 24 points, and made a season high eight free throws during the game.
• Ross collected a personal best 11 points, along with a career high five made field goals, six field goal attempts, and two steals.
• As a team, Eastern found a single season high 16 steals during the game.
• The Greyhounds have a quick turnaround, playing this Monday, Feb. 7, against Oklahoma Christian University at Greyhound Arena. First tip is set for 5 p.m.