2/17/2022 | Women’s Basketball | Box Score

PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico women’s basketball fell in a non-conference contest against #19 Lubbock Christian University. The Hounds move to 9-12, while the Chaparrals move to 22-5 overall on the season.

The visiting team locked down defensively to start the game. After an early basket from the Hounds made it 3-2 LCU, the Lady Chaps went on a 15-0 run over the span of 4:45, holding a 18-2 advantage. Eastern responded with three quick baskets to end the scoring drought. First, Laura Rowe and Iyanna McCurdy both found layups, then Stacy Ajobiewescored a layup underneath to end the 6-0 spurt. The quarter would end 20-8 LCU.

In the second quarter, both teams tightened up defensively and limited chances for either team. The Hounds scored two baskets from Natalie Stice and McCurdy, but LCU roared back with an 11-2 run, closing the first half 31-14 LCU.

After both teams traded baskets to begin the third quarter, Lubbock Christian began a 10-0 streak that lasted for three and a half minute, 47-20 LCU. Hanna Nussbaumer ended the Chaparrals run after a layup while getting fouled and hitting the free throw, 47-23. The third period ended 53-27 LCU.

After an early 10-5 scoring run for Lubbock Christian, ENMU controlled the remainder of the game. Although time was against them, Eastern ended the game on a 11-2 run. Rowe provided four points in the spurt, Nussbaumer added three, Asha Ross and Julia Chavez each found baskets. However, the score ended 66-43 in favor of Lubbock Christian.

NOTABLE STATS

  • The Greyhounds were held to 31.5% (17-54) shooting, 17.6% (3-17) from behind the arch, and 66.7% (6-9) at the line. Meanwhile, LCU finished the night shooting 47.2% (25-53), 36.8% (7-19) at range, and 90.0% (9-10) at the foul line.
  • Eastern recorded more rebounds than the Chaparrals, 34-33.
  • Stice contributed a team high 10 points during the game, with Rowe supplied nine points from the bench.
  • MeMe Amand pulled down a team best seven rebounds, while Ajobiewe collected five rebounds overall.
  • Amand and Anasha Hurst each had two assists, with Ross finding a team best two steals.

FROM THE SOURCE

“Defense wins championships and there’s a reason this team (LCU) has won three out of the last five national championships,” said Head Women’s Basketball Coach Meghan De los Reyes. “We had some trouble getting into a rhythm tonight offensively. We did a good job adjusting defensively to hold their outside shooting and to hold such a high caliber offense to 11 and 13 points in the second and fourth quarters, respectively, was great to see” said De los Reyes. “We will take what we can learn from this one and look forward to seeing them again on Tuesday in Lubbock”.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • Lubbock Christian have won the last two meetings between the teams, but Eastern still hold the all-time series lead 24-16 over LCU.
  • Ross tied a season best two steals, while Amand set a season high for assists during the game with two.
  • Eastern will head to Lubbock to meet the Lady Chaps again on Tuesday, Feb. 22, this time in an LSC matchup. First tip from the Rip Griffin Center is slated for 4:30 p.m. (MST)