FORT SMITH, Ark. – A strong second half from University of Arkansas-Fort Smith closed out the Eastern New Mexico Women's Basketball program's road trip with a 75-62 loss on Saturday afternoon at Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center. The Greyhounds move to 12-13 overall, while holding an LSC record of 9-11. The Lions advance to 10-17 overall, while holding an 8-13 conference record.

After the home team took an early 6-2 lead, the Greyhounds roared back with a 19-2 streak to go ahead 21-11. Ashley Shipley started the run with back-to-back threes, then Marley Freeman added five points, while Deja Adrian added four points, and Shipley added another layup. ENMU held a 25-13 advantage after the first period.
 
The Lions started connecting from the field at the beginning of the second frame, using a 10-2 run to trail 27-23. ENMU kept the Lions away with Shipley scoring four straight points for Eastern, 31-25. UAFS were able to finish the quarter strong, closing the half on a 6-2 run to trail ENMU 36-34.
 
From the locker room, both teams went back and forth after ENMU were connecting at the free throw line, 42-42. From that point, UAFS locked down defensively and started to score on offense. Fort Smith closed the period on a 13-3 run, entering the final period ahead 55-45.
 
The Greyhounds offense struggled with the UAFS defense to start the fourth quarter, being held without a field goal for the opening five minutes of the period. In that time, the Lions kept their lead at 62-52 and had an answer for every ENMU basket during the final moments of the contest. In the end, UAFS finished 75-62 winners over the Greyhounds.

NOTABLE STATS

• Eastern suppled 32.8% shooting from the field, 12.0% from deep, and 56.8% from the foul line. The Lions shot 39.7% during the contest, 37.0% from the field, and 75.0% at the charity stripe.
• Shipley led all scorers with 22 points in the game, finishing 7-14 from the field, 2-7 from deep, and 6-8 from the foul line. Adrian added 13 points to the Hounds offense, while Freeman secured 10 points and a team high 10 rebounds.
• KiKi Roberts picked up nine rebounds on the glass, while Shipley pulled down seven boards.
• Roberts passed out three assists on the afternoon, with Shipley distributing two assists.
• Four Greyhounds secured two steals: Adrian, Roberts, Freeman, and Alexandria Sariñana. Adrian and Roberts both finished with a block.

FROM THE SOURCE

"We put up a good fight today and forced a lot of turnovers," said Head Women's Basketball Coach Meghan De los Reyes. "Marly did a great job making plays on both ends, collecting her first career double-double, and Ashley has really shown her versatility on the offensive end. We weren't able to capitalize on our free throw attempts and some open 3's, but we competed really hard," said De los Reyes. "We are looking forward to honoring our four seniors back home Monday".

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• The Greyhounds traveled to Fort Smith, Ark. for the first time in program history to face the Lions.
• Shipley marked the afternoon with a career high 22 points in the game, while Freeman picked up a career high in points and rebounds, 10 points and 10 rebounds.
• Sariñana made their first career start for the Greyhounds, setting a season high with 21 minutes played.
• Eastern return to Greyhound Arena for the final time this season on Monday, Feb. 20, as they welcome Western New Mexico. First tip is at 5:15 p.m., the program will be honoring its graduating seniors of the program before the start of Monday's game.