Clay Moves into 13th on Career Scoring List, Zias Fall at UTEP

EL PASO, TEXAS — Senior forward Cat Clay (Deming, N.M./Deming HS) poured in eight points and grabbed six rebounds to move into 13th place on the Eastern New Mexico University women’s basketball scoring list, but the Zias dropped a 79-48 decision to NCAA Division I University of Texas-El Paso, Saturday evening at the Don Haskins Center. With 926 points, Clay is one point ahead of Leslie Shippy and 74 shy of becoming the 13th player in team history to reach the century mark.

The Miners scored the first seven points of the game over a 2:25 span and ballooned their lead to 29-14 on a Dietra Caldwell free throw bucket with 4:05 left in the opening half. Junior forward Precious Herrin (Shreveport, La./Southwood HS/Jacksonville College) hit a jumper followed by four points from Kiara Tate (Jr., G, Chicago, Ill./Southridge HS/McClellan HS), to trim the Zia deficit to single digits, 29-20, with 2:10 left in the opening half. UTEP responded with a 17-2 run over the ensuing 4:54, stretching into the second half, seizing their largest lead, 46-22, 2ith 17:04 left in the contest. After trading baskets over the next several minutes, the Miners pulled away to seal the game.

Eastern held a 76.2-66.7 edge in shooting from the free throw line, converting on 16 of their 21 attempts from the charity stripe. Herrin paced Eastern with 14 points, and two blocks, hitting all six of her free throws. Clay and Tate each had eight points, while Tate dished out five assists. Anete Steinberga and Kelli Willingham each had 12 points for UTEP.

The Eastern New Mexico University women’s basketball team will return to action next Saturday, for “Fan Appreciation Day,” when they host New Mexico Highlands University. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. MST. Fans will be admitted free of charge and are encouraged to bring canned food to donate to the Food Bank.