COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Superb fourth quarter defense propelled Eastern New Mexico Women's Basketball to victory over UC-Colorado Springs, 57-58, on Saturday evening at Gallogly Events Center. The Greyhounds improve to 4-2 on the season, while the Mountain Lions drop to 3-3 on the season.
 
Both team's offenses were slow in the opening goings of the 1^st quarter, with ENMU leading 7-2 after the first five minutes. The home Mountain Lions finished the first period with an 8-0 streak to hold a 14-13 lead after one period. The second quarter also saw strong defensive play, with each team finding just three field goals in the 2^nd quarter, leaving the scored tied 22-22 at halftime.
 
To begin the third quarter, UCCS jumped out a four-point lead (largest of the game for UCCS). Shortly after, the Greyhounds strung together small runs to put themselves in-front, 34-32. Eastern held just a one-point lead going into the final period, 40-39.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Greyhounds imposed themselves on defense, holding UCCS to just two field goals over the final 10 minutes. Deja Adrian scored the Greyhounds first five points of the quarter, to hold a 47-42 with five minutes to play. ENMU put the game out of reach down the stretch with eight unanswered points, while finishing 7-8 at the foul line in the fourth quarter. ENMU walked away with a 57-48 road win over the Mountain Lions.

NOTABLE STATS

• ENMU finished the game shooting 42.6% from the field (20-47), connecting on three three-pointers (3-12, 25.0%), and 82.4% shooting at the foul line (14-17). UCCS slashed 34.0% FG/37.5% 3PT, and 66.7% FT.
• Eastern outrebounded the Mountain Lions 37-27, winning the battle on the offensive glass, 10-7. Eastern pocketed eight steals, forcing the Mountain Lions into 15 turnovers.
• Adrian finished the game with a team high 11 points from the bench, scoring seven points in the final quarter. Tatiana Hodges-Johnson reached double-figures (10 pts), while Ashley Shipley contributed nine points.
• Jamila Nansikombi-Gunter led the team with seven rebounds, while adding eight points and two blocks to the effort.

FROM THE SOURCE

"Really proud of the connectivity we had as a group tonight," said ENMU Head Women's Basketball Coach Blake Huber. "It was a total team effort. We talked about playing with joy and for each other today in shoot-around, and it starts with me as a coach to bring that positive joy every day," said Huber. "We followed the scout to a "T" and offensively were more efficient tonight. I'm excited to get back to Greyhound Arena on Thursday to start LSC play," said Huber.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Nine of the 11 Greyhounds that took the floor ended up on the scoresheet, with Deairah Mays starting their first game in a Greyhound uniform and picking up their first points for ENMU.
• Eastern beat the Mountain Lions for the first time since 2017, when the two squads matched up in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Division II Tournament (89-73, UCCS). The all-time series sits at 2-2, with ENMU winning both games played in Colorado Springs.
• The Greyhounds now shift their attention to conference play, as ENMU kick-off conference action on Thursday, Nov. 30, against St. Edward's at Greyhound Arena. First tip between the Greyhounds and Hilltoppers is set for 5 p.m.