PORTALES, N.M. – Deja Adrian and Jamila Nansikombi-Gunter combined for 47 points during the Greyhounds 78-57 victory over Fort Lewis on Friday afternoon at Greyhound Arena. ENMU Women's Basketball starts the season at 1-0, while the Skyhawks fall to 0-1.
 
The Greyhounds started well with Nansikombi-Gunter scoring the opening six points for ENMU. ENMU's defense shined to close out the first period holding Fort Lewis without a made field goal for the final four minutes, 19-14.
 
To start the second quarter, Eastern pushed the advantage to 10 points after a quick three and a fastbreak layup in the opening 30 seconds. ENMU's defense was strong again in the second period, finishing on a 10-3 streak during the final six minutes of the half with one allowed field goal, holding a 38-23 halftime lead.
 
Fort Lewis clawed back into the game with two and a half minutes to play in the third, bringing a 15-point deficit to just six points. However, the Greyhounds rattled off nine unanswered points to bring the lead back to 15 points to end the third period and start the fourth quarter.
 
In the final frame, the Greyhounds defense clamped down again to end the game, holding Fort Lewis to a single layup over the final four minutes and outscore Fort Lewis 10-2. The Greyhounds picked up a 78-57 victory in their home opener over FLC.

NOTABLE STATS

• The Hounds finished with 54.1% (33-61) shooting from the field, 44.4%% (4-9) at a distance, and 53.3% (8-15) from the foul line. The Skyhawks calculated a 32.2% (19-59) field goal percentage, 17.6% (3-17) from behind the arc, and 72.7 % (16-22) at the free throw line.
• Eastern pulled down more rebounds, 39-33, and dominated the paint with 56 points down low.
• Adrian led the offense with 27 points on 12-16 shooting, along with four steals and four rebounds. Nansikombi-Gunter also had a hot night offensively, pouring in 20 points missing just four shots from the field (10-14).
• Vanessa Oduah posted a team best 12 rebounds, with three other Greyhounds tied at four.
• Jaz Salon collected five assists, with Oduah adding four. Three different Greyhounds had four steals (Adrian, Nansikombi-Gunter, and Salon).

FROM THE SOURCE

"Really proud of how hard our kids played today, it was sloppy at times but I think that is credit to Fort Lewis for playing a big zone that caused us some problems," said Head Women's Basketball Coach Blake Huber. "Defensively, I thought we really got after them and followed our scout very effectively. Excited to keep growing with this group game by game," said Huber.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• The Greyhounds bested Fort Lewis for the fifth straight season, and now move to 17-12 in the all-time series.
• Eastern have now opened the season with a win for the fifth straight campaign.
• Adrian set a career record for made field goals with 12.
• Laurie Calixte, Martrice Brooks, Tatiana Hodges-Johnson, Deairah Mays, Nansikombi-Gunter, Oduah, Salon, Daci Smith, Adamari Waddell, and Alecia Whyte all played their first game in an Eastern New Mexico jersey.
• Salon and Smith made their collegiate debuts during the contest.
• Eastern return to the court tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 11, for a battle with New Mexico Highlands. First tip is slated for 2:30 p.m. from Greyhound Arena.