CANYON, Texas – Eastern New Mexico Basketball battled until the very end but was not able to overcome West Texas A&M, 70-62, on Thursday evening at First United Bank Center. The Greyhounds slip to 8-15 overall, while holding a 4-13 LSC record. The home Lady Buffs improve to 15-10 overall on the season, along with a 10-7 conference record.

Following an early timeout from the Greyhounds, ENMU posted an 8-0 run to take an 8-5 advantage over the Lady Buffs with Ishuana Hunter finding two early baskets in the run. Over the next few minutes, Eastern and WT traded baskets with the Greyhounds scoring an extra basket here and there. Four consecutive points for ENMU ended the first period, with the Greyhounds leading 24-18. To start the second quarter, ENMU expanded its lead to 10 points, but the Lady Buffs pressed the Greyhounds the rest of the second quarter. During the press, the Buffs successfully turned over ENMU, going on a 15-0 streak over a seven-and-a-half-minute span. WT led 35-30 going into the locker room.
 
Beginning the third period, West Texas A&M continued their hot scoring with eight unanswered points to go up 43-30. The Greyhounds responded with Hunter and Deja Adrian taking turns to lead the offense. During a 12-4 run for Eastern, Hunter picked up seven of the Greyhounds points, while Adrian scored five points, cutting the score to 47-42. The Lady Buffs led 52-44 with a late surge to end the quarter. Eastern were unable to cut the deficit, bringing the gap to as low as six points in the final quarter (58-52 WT). The home team held out for the victory, 70-62, over the Greyhounds.

NOTABLE STATS

• Eastern finished shooting 48.1% from the field (26-54), struggling from behind the arc (1-7, 14.3%), and holding a 64.3 free throw percentage (9-14). The Lady Buffs were also effective from the floor, posting a 47.2% field goal percentage. From three-point range, WT only hit three three-pointers (3-14, 21.4%), while connecting on 17 of their 20 free throw attempts (85.0%).
• The Greyhounds grabbed more rebounds than West Texas A&M (32-30), while the Buffs poked away six steals compared to the three from ENMU.
• Hunter was the games high scorer (24 points) and rebounder (12 rebounds), finishing 11-18 from the field with a pair of free throws. Adrian also made an important contribution with 18 points, and Vanessa Oduah reached double-digits with 10 points.
• Oduah pulled down five boards, while Jaz Salon had all four assists for the Greyhounds.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Hunter recorded their third double-double of the season, with their last coming against Lubbock Christian with 26 points and 11 rebounds (1/18/24). The junior forward finished just two points short of tying a career high and missed a season best for rebounds by one.
• Eastern turn their attention to Saturday, Feb. 17, when they play Lubbock Christian at Rip Griffin Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 12 p.m. (MST).