OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Despite a career high 29 points from Deja Adrian, Eastern New Mexico Women's Basketball were held 82-74 on the road against Oklahoma Christian on Thursday night at Payne Athletic Center. ENMU move to 12-12 overall, holding a 9-10 conference record. The Eagles pick up their sixth win of the season (6-18, 6-14 in LSC action).

The home team started the better of the two teams, using a 16-6 streak to take an early lead over the Greyhounds, 20-12 OC. The slow first quarter for the Greyhounds closed at 22-15 OC after the first 10 minutes.
 
In the second frame, Eastern fought their way back into the contest. Deja Adrian started to take over for ENMU, scoring nine of the Greyhounds opening 11 points of the quarter to bring the score to 29-26 OC. Oklahoma Christian responded with a small streak, but the Greyhounds closed the period as the better team, finishing with a 12-5 stretch. Ashley Shipley contributed five points on the run, while Adrian chipped in with four points as the Eagles held a 39-38 lead over ENMU.
 
At the start of the second half, the Greyhounds were connecting from the field. Marley Freeman gave ENMU the lead with a layup, then Adrian and Julieta Ceja each hit a three as Eastern took a 56-46 lead after a 18-7 run over the opening five minutes of the third period. Oklahoma Christian cut down the ENMU lead to just six points heading to the final quarter, 62-56.
 
In the final period it was all Eagles, starting the 4th quarter on a 10-0 run to go up 66-62 in the first 5:47 of the quarter. A pair of free throws from Shipley ended the scoreless run, but OC posted a 8-2 stretch to expand its lead to 74-65. The Greyhounds were held to two field goals in the final period, as Oklahoma Christian finished with a 82-74 victory over the Greyhounds.

NOTABLE STATS

• The Greyhounds finished shooting 35.5% from the field, 32.3% from behind the arc, and 69.0% at the foul line. The home Eagles produced a 45.8% shooting percentage, suppling a 42.1% three-point shooting percentage, and 66.7% at the foul line.
• Adrian lead all scorer with 29 points in the contest, along with a team best 10 rebounds in the game. Shipley added 14 points to the Greyhounds scoring effort.
• After Adrian, KiKi Roberts secured nine boards, while Shipley, Edecia Beck, and Lazurea Saunders finished with four rebounds each.
• Adrian and Shipley both finished with four assists in the contest, with Freeman and Beck providing a pair of assists.
• Defensively, four different Greyhounds recorded a steal, while Saunders had two blocks in the game.

FROM THE SOURCE

"We had some nice offensive production from Deja and Ship, and we're really pleased with how we shared the ball with 15 assists," said Head Women's Basketball Coach Meghan De los Reyes. "Tonight was not our best defensive effort, but we will bounce back. Defense is a staple of ours and we will come out stronger on Saturday," said De los Reyes. 

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Adrian had their best scoring night of the season, finishing 9-14 from the field, 3-5 from three, and 8-11 at the foul line. Adrian scored the most points by a Greyhound since Zamorye Cox posted 29 points in a 69-68 victory over Lubbock Christian (1/16/20). After Cox's performance, the next best single game performance came in 2015 from Sarah Stinnett, scoring 37 points over Angelo State (2/7/15).
• Along with 29 points, Adrian led the team with 10 rebounds to secure their sixth double-double of the season.
• Freeman tallied a career best nine points, with a season high three made field goals.
• Eastern will now head to Arkansas, for a pivotal matchup with University of Arkansas-Fort Smith on Saturday, Feb. 18. First tip with the Lions is scheduled for 12 p.m. (MST).