PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico Women's Basketball scored on their final possession and held UAFS scoreless in the final seconds to win, 56-54, on Saturday afternoon at Greyhounds Arena. With the victory, the Greyhounds improved to 9-17 overall with a 5-15 LSC record. Meanwhile, the Lions drop to 11-16 overall with a 9-12 record.
 
Both teams were effectively to start the game, with ENMU going 6-6 from the field in the opening five and a half minutes (ENMU 13-9). Alecia Whyte scored six points in the opening spurt, Ishuana Hunter had two jumpers, and Ashley Shipley connected on a three. The Lions closed the quarter holding the Greyhounds scoreless, leading 16-13 after the first frame. With UAFS leading 20-13, the Greyhounds put up 10 unanswered points to jump back in front (23-20), as Whyte and Vanessa Oduah combined for all 10 points. Each team traded baskets to close the half, with ENMU leading 30-25.
 
The 3^rd quarter was even for both teams, with baskets being answered for each team. The Greyhounds maintained a four-point lead going into the final quarter (41-37). UAFS scored two quick baskets to tie the game, but Shipley hit a three to restore the Greyhounds lead. A few minutes later, the Lions scored 10 straight points to take a five-point lead over the Greyhounds (51-46). From that point, ENMU responded with an 8-0 run with Deja Adrian scoring half of the Greyhounds points. A three from the Lions tied the game at 54-54, but the Greyhounds made the most of their final possession. With less than five seconds to play, Hunter hit Adrian on a back door cut for an uncontested layup with three seconds to play to go up 56-54. The game tying effort from UAFS came up short, as the Greyhounds came away with a 56-54 win.

A clutch basket in the dying seconds gives ENMU the victory!!!#ENMU #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/v3RGHy3XMi

— ENMU Women's Basketball (@ENMUWBB) February 24, 2024

NOTABLE STATS

• Eastern's offense shot 41.8% from the field (23-55), connected on four of 15 three-pointers (26.7%), while finishing 6-6 at the foul line. The Lions sported a 41.2%% field goal percentage (21-51), finishing 3-15 from behind the arc (20.0%), while posting an 75.0% free throw percentage (9-12).
• ENMU slightly held the edge in rebounding, 32-30. Both teams finished with nine steals and five blocks. Eastern took advantage of turnovers, scoring 19 points off turnovers.
• Whyte finished as the game's leading scorer with 14 points, while Adrian finished just behind with 10 points. Hunter, Oduah, and Shipley each finished with eight points.
• Hunter pulled down a team best seven boards, while Whyte collected six rebounds. Seven of the eight Greyhounds finished with an assist, while five different players had a steal, and Hunter totaled both blocks for ENMU.

FROM THE SOURCE

"I thought we executed pretty well offensively down the stretch today and players made some big shots down the stretch," said Head ENMU Women's Basketball Coach Blake Huber. "We've played in so many close games this year and I'm really glad we pulled this one out today. We had some players step up today and we were very balanced offensively," said Huber. "Hopefully, we can carry that momentum into senior day on Thursday,".

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• The Greyhounds beat the Lions for the third time in program history, improving to 3-1 all-time.
• Whyte posted a season best 14 points in the game, scoring all their points in the first half. Additionally, Whyte posted season highs for minutes played (36), made field goals (6), and field goal attempts (9).
• In total, the game finished with five lead changes and a tied score seven times during the game.
• ENMU play their final home game of the season on Thursday, Feb. 29, facing Western New Mexico at 5 p.m.