Zias Fall to Cowgirls in Rematch

LAS VEGAS, N.M.— Senior forward Cat Clay (Deming, N.M./Deming HS) hit a jumper 39 seconds into Monday evening’s contest to give the Eastern New Mexico University women’s basketball team (1-3) their only lead, as the Zias dropped a 72-62 decision to New Mexico Highlands at the John A. Wilson Complex. With the loss, the teams have split their season series.

The loss snapped the Zias’ four-game winning streak in road games against the Cowgirls, and was New Mexico Highlands’ first home win against Eastern since a65-53 decision on January 22, 2002.

After Clay staked ENMU to a 2-0 lead, Briana Gholston’s fast break jumper ignited a 14-1 Highlands run over the ensuing 4:49, giving the Cowgirls a 14-3 lead. The Cowgirls pushed their advantage to 14 points, 20-6, with 11:48 left in the opening half, BEFORE Eastern used a 15-6 surge over 5:01 capped by two Kara Bible (Sr., F, Albuquerque, N.M./Cibola HS) free throws to pull the Zias to within 26-21, with 6:12 left in the period. The teams traded baskets down the stretch; with NMHU taking a 42-38 lead into the locker room after a three-point bucket from Lace Clark (Jr., G, Keene, Texas/Keene HS).

Clark’s trey gave the Zias momentum which carried into the second half, as part of a 7-1 run. Precious Herrin (Jr., F, Shreveport, La./Southwood HS/Jacksonville College) hit a jumper to open the second half, pulling Eastern to within two points and a layup 2:58 into the period to pull ENMU to within a single point, 43-42. The Cowgirls responded with a 6-0 run over the next 1:58, pushing their advantage to 49-42, with 14:47 left. Eastern managed to pull back to within two points, 56-54, on a Krista Ford (So., F, Lubbock, Texas/Frenship HS) jumper with 9:13 left, but could come no closer as NMHU pulled away for the win.

The Zias held a 17-9 edge in points off turnovers and a slim 37-36 advantage in rebounding. Highlands shot a sizzling 50 percent from the field and limited Eastern to a 38.3 shooting percentage. Herrin paced ENMU offensively, with 16 points and four rebounds, while Til-Lois Fifer (Sr., F, Tulia, Texas/Tulia HS) finished with 13 points, connecting on five of six points from the free-throw line. Whitley Coca led Highlands with 20 points and eight rebounds.

The Eastern New Mexico University women’s basketball team will return to action on Thursday, when they host Southwestern Oklahoma State in their Lone Star Conference crossover opener. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. MST.