Game Recap: Women’s Basketball | 1/20/2022 8:00:00 PM | Cameron Brennan

Four Greyhounds reached double figures as Eastern New Mexico women’s basketball knocked off St. Mary’s University, 77-61, in a Lone Star Conference (LSC) contest on Thursday evening at Greyhound Arena. The Hounds return to .500 at 6-6, and 2-4 in LSC play. Meanwhile, the Rattlers slip to 1-13 overall with a 0-3 conference standing.

After the Rattlers opened the game with five straight points, Eastern roared back with nine points of their own to take an early 9-5 lead. MeMe Amand started the scoring with a layup, then Iyanna McCurdy found two baskets underneath, and Natalie Stice nailed a triple. Both teams went back and forth scoring as Eastern held a eight point lead with just over two minutes in the first period. St. Mary’s brought the score to within one, closing the period with seven straight points, 23-22 ENMU.

StMU eventually tied the score midway through the second quarter 29-29, but that setoff five straight points from the Hounds, 34-29. The Rattlers would narrow the advantage as the first half ended, with ENMU holding a slight advantage, 38-36 ENMU.

Eastern and St. Mary’s were matched to begin the third frame, with both teams trading baskets. The Hounds increased its lead to 10 points midway through the period following a 12-5 streak. In the streak, Kamirah Decker found two layups and a free throw, with Amand totaling three points, while Julia Chavez, McCurdy, and Stice registered two points, 56-46. The Rattlers quickly cut the lead to just four points as the third quarter ended, 56-52 ENMU.

The Hounds separated themselves in the opening stages of the fourth quarter with a 13-2 run over the first six minutes and one second. Decker found six points in the stretch, with McCurdy breaking to the cup twice, and Anasha Hurst capping off the scoring run with a three, 69-54 ENMU. ENMU would coast through the remaining minutes with Chavez finding seven points in the final two and a half minutes. The Greyhounds ended the contest 77-61 over the Rattlers.

NOTABLE STATS

• On the night, the Hounds shoot 42.0% (29-69) from the field, 38.1% (7-18) from range, and 57.1% (12-21) from the line. StMU finished the game with a 33.3% (24-72) field goal percentage, 27.3% (6-22) from behind the arc, and 58.3% (7-12) at the charity stripe.
• ENMU outscored St. Mary’s 42-26 in the painted area, while also edging the Rattlers in rebounds, 50-46.
• McCurdy lead the pack with 18 points and 13 rebounds, with Amand, Stice, and Decker all reaching double-figures for scoring with 14 points, 13 points, and 11 points, respectively. Chavez poured in nine points, while Hurst tallied eight points.
• Leading the rebounding effort, McCurdy pulled down 13 boards, Decker collected eight rebounds, and Amand finished with seven rebounds.
• Hurst and McCurdy each passed out four assists, and McCurdy led the team with five steals. Amand led all competitors with two blocks during the contest.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Eastern take an all-time series lead following tonight’s game. The Hounds lead the series 4-3 and have won its last three games against the rattlers.
• St. Mary’s and ENMU met for the first time in Portales, N.M. at Greyhound Arena.
• McCurdy collected their third double-double of the season with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
• McCurdy produced a career high 13 rebounds and five steals during the contest, while Amand setting a personal best for ENMU with two blocks on the night
• As a team, Eastern set a season’s best for points (77), field goals made (26), rebounds (50), and steals (13).
• ENMU have a quick turnaround against St. Edward’s University on Saturday, Jan. 22, at Greyhound Arena. First tip is scheduled for 2 p.m. (MST).