Saturday, January 16, 2016

PORTALES, N.M. — Mikaehla Connor scored a career-high 16 points and connected on five of her 12 shots from the floor, but the Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team (6-9; LSC 1-4) dropped a wild Lone Star Conference game to Angelo State (10-4; LSC 3-1), Saturday at Greyhound Arena. The contest featured 11 lead changes, but the Rambelles used a strong second half to pull away for a 79-61 win.

The Hounds had won three of the last four meetings entering Saturday's contest. The game also marked the Rambelles first win at Greyhound Arena since November 28, 2012. The game marked ENMU's sixth of the season with at least five blocked shots.

Eastern took an 8-7 lead midway through the first quarter on a layup from Kassandra Harris, but Angelo State followed with a 15-4 run to seize a 22-12 advantage near the end of the quarter. Connor wrapped up a fast break with a layup to ignite a 9-1 ENMU run which stretched into the second quarter. The surge was capped by a three-point play from Connor less than one minute into the period, to trim Eastern's deficit to just 23-21.

The Rambelles extended their lead to six points twice, before the Hounds exploded on another 9-2 run capped by a go-ahead trey from Jordyn Cooper to stake ENMU to a 32-31 lead with 43 seconds left in the half. Less than 20 seconds later, Nekeita Bailey's rebound led to a Taylor Dorsey fast break, which allowed ASU to take a 33-32 lead into the locker room.

Just 14 seconds into the second half, Cooper drained another go-ahead trey to give ENMU a 35-33 lead. The Hounds followed with a Harris layup and Connor free throw to seize their largest lead of the game, 38-33, with 6:38 left in the third quarter. Angelo State answered with a 24-8 run over the next 8:05 to take a 57-43 lead, early in the final quarter of play.

The Rambelles held a 47.5-33.9 edge in shooting percentage and a 27-6 lead in points scored off turnovers. Cooper registered 15 points and connected on five of her six shots from outside the three-point line. Harris poured in 12 points and hit six of her eight free throws in addition to grabbing five rebounds. Johna McClelland had eight caroms and three blocked shots, while Eliza Martinez blocked three shots. Diamalises Rivera paced ASU with 19 points and four rebounds.

The Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team will return to action on Wednesday, when they visit Tarleton State. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. MT.