Wednesday, January 20, 2016

STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS — Sarah Stinnett matched a season-high 18-point performance to lead the Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team (6-10; LSC 1-5) back from a 10-0 first quarter deficit and a seven-point deficit late in the fourth quarter. Tarleton State (9-8; LSC 3-4) put together a late surge to edge the Greyhounds, 56-51, in Lone Star Conference action, Wednesday night at Wisdom Gym.

Breanna Fuller's layup 1:09 into the game gave the TexAnns the lead, as TSU surged to a 10-0 lead. The Hounds could only pull within seven points in the opening quarter, but used back-to-back treys from Mikaehla Connor and Stinnett in the second quarter to pull within three points, 20-17. The action went back and forth, with Tarleton State rebuilding an eight-point margin, before Connor hit a layup to ignite a 14-4 surge which stretched into the third quarter.  That run was capped by fast break buckets from Stinnett and Kassandra Harris to even the score and stake the Hounds to their first lead, 34-32, early in the second half.

The lead changed hands five times at that point, with four more tie scores. Tarleton State built a 51-44 lead, midway through the fourth quarter. Stinnett scored the ensuing seven points of the game on a pair of free throws, a trey and a fast break jumper to knot the score at 51-all with 1:45 to play. After a pair of TexAnn timeouts, TSU took the lead for good on two Bailey Wipff free throws.

ENMU held an 11-4 edge in fast break points, but the TexAnns enjoyed a 19-9 lead in points off turnovers. Stinnett also had seven rebounds and four steals. Her 18 points matched a season high against Cameron. Mikaehla Connor had nine points, five boards and a pair of blocked shots. Wipff paced TSU with 17 points.

The Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team will return to action on Saturday, to host Texas A&M-Commerce. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. MT.