With Game on the Line, Zias Surge Past Cowgirls

PORTALES, N.M.— The Eastern New Mexico University women’s basketball team (1-2) converted on 22 of their 28 (78.6%) free throws, including a seven-for-eight performance from junior forward Precious Herrin (Jr., F, Shreveport, La./Southwood HS/Jacksonville College) to pick up a 73-62 win over New Mexico Highlands, Saturday afternoon at Greyhound Arena.

With the win, Eastern improved to 10-2 against the Cowgirls since the 2001-002 season and has won nine of the last 10 meetings. During that stretch ENMU has won five of the last six home meetings.

The Cowgirls held a 30-26 advantage at halftime, limiting Eastern to just 25 percent shooting from the field, while converting 10 Zia turnovers into 11 points. ENMU managed three points on six Highlands turnovers during the opening 20 minutes.

After Trish Simpson hit the back end of a two-shot foul to open the second half and give the Cowgirls a 31-25 lead, Cat Clay (Sr., G, Deming, N.M./Deming HS) hit a three-point bucket with 18:36 left in the game to ignite a 10-5 Zia run, knotting the score at 36-all, with 15:24 remaining. The teams traded baskets down the stretch, with the Zias erasing a 42-38 deficit with a 14-3 run, which spanned 4:19, and was capped by a Herrin jumper for a 52-45 lead. During that run, Eastern took the lead for good on a Herrin jumper with 12:16 left.

Eastern blocked 11 shots, their most in a game since at least the 2000-01 season. The Zias caught fire in the second half, shooting 55.6 percent from the floor, more than double their first-half shooting percentage. ENMU held a 48-38 rebounding advantage, including a 19-17 edge on the offensive glass.

Herrin led all scorers in the game, with 26 points and six blocks. Her six blocks are also at least the most since the 2000-01 season, topping five from Elizabeth Richards, against Midwestern State on February 22, 2007. Kiara Tate (Jr., G, Chicago, Ill./Southridge HS/McLennan CC) registered 12 points and four assists, while Clay neared a triple double, with nine points, 11 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and a steal. Krista Ford (So., F, Lubbock, Texas/Frenship HS) and Til-Lois Fifer (Sr., F, Tulia, Texas/Tulia HS) each had 10 points, with Fifer grabbing nine rebounds, including six off the offensive boards. Briana Gholston paced NMHU, with 18 points.

The Eastern New Mexico University women’s basketball team will face New Mexico Highlands in a rematch from today’s game, on Monday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. MST.