Wednesday, January 13, 2016
KINGSVILLE, TEXAS —
Kassandra Harris staked the Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team (6-8; LSC 1-3) to a 6-4 lead it would not relinquish, and went on to pour in a career-high 24 points, Wednesday night at Hampton Inn Court. The performance helped the Greyhounds snap a three-game skid, en-route to a 66-52 win in Lone Star Conference action over Texas A&M-Kingsville (5-8; LSC 0-3).
Eastern has won six of the last seven meetings against the Javelinas, with five wins in the last eight road trips against Texas A&M-Kingsville. ENMU led for 36:32 of play and led by as many as 17 points. The Hounds held a 22-7 edge in points off turnovers.
Jamesha Wade's layup 25 seconds in gave the Javelinas the initial lead, but
Johna McClelland tied the contest with a short jumper. Kyra Bauer hit a layup 1:04 into the game to give Texas A&M-Kingsville its final lead, 4-2, but back-to-back buckets from Harris gave Eastern the lead for good. The Hounds greatest lead of the first half was 10 points, 22-12, with 7:55 left. The Javelinas cut their deficit to 35-30 at intermission.
Eastern allowed just two field goals in the third quarter and outscored Texas A&M-Kingsville 17-9, to extend the lead to 52-39. The Javelinas used an 11-4 run which stretched into the fourth quarter to close within nine points, 54-45 with 7:36 left, but ENMU responded with a 10-2 run to seize a 64-47 advantage with 2:07 left in the game. Texas A&M-Kingsville pulled within seven points, but could come no closer.
ENMU shot a season-high .492 from the floor and limited the Javelinas to .333. The Greyhounds' 10 blocked shots were their most since an 11-block performance against New Mexico Highlands on November 27, 2010. Six of the blocked shots came from McClelland, also a career high.
Mikaehla Connor added 10 points, while
Miranda Moore dished out a season-high six assists.
Sarah Stinnett chipped in eight rebounds and four steals.
Briana White chipped in nine points. Ope Ibrahim paced the Javelinas with 13 points.
The Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team will return to action on Saturday, to host Angelo State. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. MT.