SAN ANGELO, Texas – The contest came down to the final few possessions, but #25 Angelo State held on against Eastern New Mexico Woman's Basketball, 79-74, on Thursday night at the Junell Center-Stephens Arena. ENMU slips to 8-10 on the season, while sporting a 5-8 LSC record and 2-5 in West Division play. ASU move to 17-3 overall, sporting a 12-2 conference standing, and sit atop the West Division at 7-1.

Both teams couldn't be separated in the opening minutes with Julieta Ceja scoring the first six points for ENMU to keep the score at 6-6. Angelo State separated themselves slightly midway through the period, 17-11. Eastern ended the corner on a 7-2 streak with Ashley Shipley, Edecia Beck, and Bella Stone each hitting a field goal.
 
In the second quarter, Angelo State jumped up to a sizable lead with a 13-3 run in the middle of the period. The Greyhounds closed the half with a handful of baskets to keep the score at 38-29 Angelo State.
 
After ENMU started the 3^rd quarter with five straight points, ASU replied with a 15-3 stretch to go up 53-37. KiKi Roberts continued to get the free throw line to chip away at the Rambelles lead. ASU held a 14-point lead going into the final 10 minutes, 57-43.
 
The 4^th quarter started with both teams going to the foul line, then both teams started hitting threes. With 7:35 remaining the Greyhounds erupted for a massive run to get back into the contest. Eastern hit five consecutive shots on five possessions, including four three-pointers to set the score at 68-61 ASU. In the streak, Shipley and Stone each knocked down a pair of threes, while Ceja sunk a three and finished underneath for a layup. The momentum continued for the Greyhounds, bringing the score to 73-71 ASU with just 40 seconds to play. ENMU compiled a 24-9 streak over a 6:50 period. However, ASU hit their free throws down the stretch to secure a 79-74 win.

NOTABLE STATS

• Eastern finished the game with a 37.9% shooting from the field (25-66), 29.6% from range (8-27), and 64.0% on free throws (16-25). The Rambelles closed the night with a 44.6% field goal percentage (29-65), a blistering 41.7% from deep (10-24), and 61.1% from the charity stripe (11-18).
• Ceja paced the Greyhounds with 17 points, while Shipley poured in 14 points. Beck provided 13 points from the bench, while Stone supplied 12 points.
• Roberts controlled the glass with a game high 12 boards, while Lazurea Saunders grabbed five rebounds.
• Stone tallied five assists in the contest, with Marley Freeman picked two assists.
• Defensively, Shipley secured five steals and Freeman propped up three steals. Beck posted two blocks in the contest.

FROM THE SOURCE

"Incredible game tonight with really high level play on both ends from both teams," said Head Woman's Basketball Coach Meghan De los Reyes. "We put a huge emphasis on the boards, being the top two rebounding teams in the conference and our effort was outstanding, winning that battle with an impressive 21 on the offensive end," said De los Reyes. "Our freshman gave really great minutes and we showed true resilience and fight as we came back to score 31 in the fourth. We can't wait to get back out there Saturday," said De los Reyes.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• The Greyhounds scored the most points in a quarter this season (31 points), shooting 10-21 (47.6%) from the field, and 5-8 from behind the arc in the period.
• Ceja secured a career high 17 points, while Shipley posted a season best five made free throws and five steals.
• Freeman had their best game to date in just their second start, scoring seven points, securing five rebounds, and three steals (all career bests). Roberts provided a career best in free throws (five makes and 12 attempts), rebounds (12), and steals (2).
• Eastern out-rebounded the Rambelles 45-42, making the Greyhounds just the fifth team to secure more rebounds than the current LSC rebounding leaders.
• ENMU will hope to rebound when they play UT Permian Basin on Saturday, Jan. 28, with first tip scheduled for 12 p.m.