PORTALES, N.M. – A last second defensive stand secured Eastern New Mexico Women's Basketball a 71-70 victory over West Texas A&M on Saturday afternoon at Greyhound Arena. With the victory, ENMU improves to 6-10 on the season with a 2-8 Lone Star Conference (LSC) record. Meanwhile, the Lady Buffs fall to 10-8 overall with a 5-5 conference standing.
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The Greyhounds were in control during the opening 4:30, going on an 8-0 after the Lady Buffs opening basket. After WT made the contest a one possession game, ENMU went on a 15-4 stretch to take a 13-point lead.
Deja Adrian started the run with a triple, then
Ishuana Hunter added a pair of baskets and Adrian poured in three buckets of their own, 23-10. WT brought the score to 23-14 to end the opening quarter.
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To begin the second frame, both teams went back and forth with each team finding the basket. With the score reading 34-23 ENMU, the Greyhounds scored eight straight points to take a 19-point lead, 42-23. WT brought the deficit to 15 points at the break, 42-27 ENMU.
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ENMU pushed its lead to 21 points after the intermission, 48-27, but West Texas A&M slowly worked their way back into the game as the quarter continued. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Greyhounds still led 56-45. West Texas A&M pushed offensively in the final frame, using a 7-0 streak to make it a one possession game, 62-60 ENMU. Later the Lady Buffs tied the game at 67-67, but
Ishuana Hunter converted a layup on the next possession and hit the following free throw after getting fouled to restore the lead, 70-67. With 12 seconds to play and ENMU holding on a 71-70 lead, WT gained possession on a jump ball, giving them the final shot. From the inbound play,
Ashley Shipley cut off a WT pass with five seconds to play, securing a 71-70 over West Texas A&M.
NOTABLE STATS
- Eastern New Mexico finished 50.9% from the floor (29-57), connecting on four three pointers (40% 3PT, 4-10), and marked the game 9-11 from the foul line. West Texas A&M held a better field goal percentage than the Hounds (55.6%, 30-54), posting a 36.4% three-point percentage (4-11), and finishing 6-9 at the charity stripe (66.7%).
- The Greyhounds held the advantage in rebounds (28-25), assists (15-14), steals (11-7) and won the turnover battle (14-17).
- Hunter led the Greyhounds effort with 24 points and six rebounds in the game. Deja Adrian finished 8-11 from the field with 17 points, while Jamila Nansikombi-Gunter poured in 12 points.
- Shipley and Adrian both pulled down five rebounds, while Jaz Salon led the Greyhounds with five assists. Nansikombi-Gunter finished with a team best four steals and added four assists, while Shipley pulled four steals for the Greyhounds.
FROM THE SOURCE
"I thought for the first 25 minutes we played some of our best basketball of the season," said ENMU Head Women's Basketball Coach Blake Huber. "I think the last 15 minutes we really got tired with only suiting nine players and they punched us in the mouth. Our players made crucial plays when they needed to down the stretch and we couldn't be prouder of them," said Huber. "This is a program building win and the best is yet to come,".
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Hunter supplied 24 points shooting 50% from the field (10-20), crossing the 20-point mark for the second time this season (1/18 vs LCU- 26 points). Hunter also logged a season high for made free throws and attempts (4-5).
- Eastern shot over 50.0% from the field for just the third time this season, while posting a season best 15 assists in the game.
- ENMU have bested the Lady Buffs for the second consecutive time, last beating WT on Feb. 9, 2023, 68-62, at Greyhound Arena. This is the first time Eastern has beaten West Texas A&M in consecutive games since the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons (1/3/98- W, 79-74 and 1/31/98- W, 63-58) with both games being at Greyhound Arena.
- The Greyhounds now head on the road to face nationally ranked #19 Texas A&M International on Thursday, Jan. 25. First tip from Laredo, Texas is scheduled for 5 p.m. (MST).