Game Recap: Women’s Basketball |  | Cameron Brennan

An explosive fourth quarter sent the Hounds past the Oklahoma Christian University, 86-76, on Monday night at Greyhound Arena. Eastern New Mexico return to .500 with a 9-9 record and a 5-7 Lone Star Conference standing. Meanwhile, the Lady Eagles sit at 0-18 overall and 0-9 in conference play.

From the gate, Eastern jumped out to a 8-2 lead in the opening three and a half minutes. Bella Stone, Kamirah Decker, Iyanna McCurdy all found the basket, while Anasha Hurst sunk two free-throws. Eastern lead by 12-4, when the Lady Eagles sparked a scoring spree. OC strung together a 13-4, taking the lead at 17-16. However, the quarter closed with the Greyhounds leading 24-22. Natalie Stice and Stone each hit a three pointer, while McCurdy nailed two free throws to end the first 10 minutes.

Oklahoma Christian began the second frame as the aggressor, surging back to take a 33-27 lead in the first 3:49 of the period. Eastern chipped away at the lead with free throws, but pushed its lead to nine points, 49-40 with a minute to play. Five points for the Hounds before the buzzer left them trailing 49-45 at the half.

Out of the locker room, moved the score to 58-49 with 6:25 to play in the quarter, holding a nine-point lead. From then, ENMU locked in offensively going on a 10-0 run over a one minute forty second span. MeMe Amand hit a free throw, the Hound scored on four straight possessions with Laura Rowe hitting an elbow three to take a 59-58 lead. The Lady Eagles responded with eight points without reply, but Eastern cut the score too 66-61 OC just before the quarter ended.

The momentum carried over into the final quarter for the Hounds, posting a 15-2 run over the first five and a half minutes, 76-68 ENMU. McCurdy accounted for six points in the opening stages of the fourth, while Stice added four points, and Decker contributed three points in the streak. Oklahoma Christian put pressure on the Hounds defensive, but the ENMU offense matched every basket down the stretch as Eastern pulled away 86-76 in the end.

NOTABLE STATS

  • The Hounds finished with 40.9% (27-66) shooting from the field, 28.6% (6-21) at a distance, and 74.3% (26-35) from the foul line. The Lady Eagles calculated a 40.0% (22-55) field goal percentage, 37.0% (10-27) from behind the arc, and 81.5 % (22-27) at the free throw line.

  • Eastern pulled down more rebounds, 49-29, and beat the Lady Eagles on the fast break, 20-8.

  • McCurdy controlled the offense with 28 points on 10-19 shooting and a perfect 8-8 on free throws. McCurdy also pulled down a game high 12 rebounds during the game.

  • Stice added 15 points in support, while Rowe provided nine points, and Chavez contributed seven points.

  • Decker was just short of 10 rebounds with nine, and Chavez allotted four boards.

  • Both McCurdy and Stice had three steals each, with Hurst facilitating the offense with four assists. Stice had the lone block of the game.

FROM THE SOURCE

“I’m incredibly proud of our team’s effort and perseverance through OC’s scoring runs tonight” said Head Women’s Basketball Coach Meghan De los Reyes. “We stayed the course and made some great adjustments in the second half, especially on defense, holding them to just five field goals in the half. We ended the game with our strongest quarter of the year, which we will build off heading into two tough road games later this week” said De los Reyes

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • Eastern set a season high for points (86), most free throws made (26), most free throw attempts (35), and every student-athlete scored during the game.

  • The Hounds have now won three straight games against Oklahoma Christian, with the all-time series at 3-1 ENMU.

  • ENMU was a perfect 9-9 on free throws in the fourth quarter.

  • McCurdy produced their seventh double-double of the season, while posting a career high 28 points. McCurdy’s 28 points is the most by a Greyhound in a single game this season. McCurdy also tied single season highs in field goals made (10), and free throws made (8).

  • Hurst tied a season high four assists in the contest.

  • Eastern hit the road on Thursday, as the Hounds will play Cameron University in Lawton, Okla., with first tip at 4:30 p.m. (MST).