PORTALES, N.M. – The Eastern New Mexico Women's Basketball protected their home floor in front of a raucous crowd, during a 68-62 win over West Texas A&M University on Thursday evening at Greyhound Arena. ENMU improve to 12-10 on the season and 9-8 in LSC play. Meanwhile, the Lady Buffs slip to 18-7 overall, while holding a 11-6 LSC record.

Eastern New Mexico wasted no time to start the contest with Ashley Shipley knocking down the teams first shot, then Bella Stone finding a layup, and a deep two-pointer to go ahead 7-0 within the first 60 seconds. The Greyhounds expanded on its lead, holding a 13-3 edge after the opening five minutes. After a small run from the Lady Buffs, Julieta Ceja connected from deep and found a jumper to give Eastern a 19-10 advantage after the first quarter.
 
A back and forth ensued to start the second period, with Eastern going ahead 27-13 following a steal and score from Corin Camara. The WT high power offense kicked into gear from that point, ending the frame on a 14-4 run to come within just two possessions of the Greyhounds. ENMU held a slight lead going into the locker room, 31-27.
 
To begin the third quarter, West Texas A&M wasted no time to tie the score at 32-32, and eventually took its first lead of the night at 35-34 WT. However, that sparked the Greyhounds into its largest run of the night with 13 unanswered points. Ceja started the run with a layup, while Shipley and Camara hit threes, and KiKi Roberts earned three points after a made layup and a following free throw, 47-35 ENMU. However, WT responded with six points from the foul line to set the score at 48-41 going into the final quarter.
 
The energy was intense to start the fourth quarter, with Edecia Beck providing a block then going down the other end to score while getting fouled to put the Hounds up 52-43. Eastern continued to find success scoring in the fourth quarter, with Adrian hitting a layup while getting fouled, then a three from Shipley and a layup from Stone put the Greyhounds ahead 62-49 with 5:20 to play in the game. WT put up five straight points, but had to foul to stop the clock giving ENMU an opportunity at the foul line. The Greyhounds hit their free throws as the game dwindled away, for Eastern to pick up a 68-62 home win over the Lady Buffs.

NOTABLE STATS

• Eastern closed out the evening with a 34.9% field goal percentage (22-63), 31.6% from behind the arc (6-19), and a 62.1% free throw percentage (18-29). The visitors posted just 31.7% shooting (19-60), firing just 31.8% from the three (7-22), and 85.0% at the foul line (17-20).
• Shipley led all scorers with 19 points in the contest, while four other Greyhounds reached double figures for points. Stone supplied 12 points, Adrian tallied 11 points, and Ceja chipped in with 10 off the bench.
• Adrian pushed the Greyhounds rebounding with 10, while Stone compiled nine, and KiKi Roberts finished with seven boards.
• Stone facilitated five assists during the game, with several Greyhounds adding defensively. Shipley, Stone, and Lazurea Saunders each had two steals, while Beck posted two blocks on the game.

FROM THE SOURCE

"We came out tonight with energy and aggression on both ends which set the tone for us from the start," said Head Women's Basketball Meghan De los Reyes. "Holding an offensive powerhouse like WT to 31% from the field took a total team effort. We were able to score off the turnovers created by our defensive pressure and worked to get to the paint and foul line," said De los Reyes. "Bella (Stone) did a great job leading us and setting up her teammates, while Shipley and Adrian provided outstanding production on both ends. Our team's effort was amazing for 40 minutes, fueled by an unbelievable crowd in Greyhound Arena!" said De Los Reyes.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Shipley finished with a career high 19 points, shooting 6-10 from the field and 4-6 from range. Stone set a season high for free throw makes (6) and attempts in a game (8).
• Adrian secured a double-double during the game (11 points and 10 rebounds), their fifth of the season.
• ENMU bested West Texas A&M for the first time in the De los Reyes era, winning for the first time in regulation against the Lady Buffs since the 2016-17 season. This also marks the first time Eastern have beaten WT at home since the 2003-04 season.
• The Greyhounds will next play Lubbock Christian University, on Saturday, Feb. 11, with first tip scheduled for 1 p.m.