11/8/2021 | Women’s Basketball

PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico women’s basketball bested Northern New Mexico College 78-45, in its final exhibition game before the start of the 2021-22 season on Saturday evening at Greyhound Arena.

The Hounds started the game quickly, jumping out to an 11-0 lead in the first three minutes of the game. Natalie Stice found seven points in the opening run with MeMe Amand and Kamirah Deckeralso finding layups in the opening stages. The Hounds closed out the first 10 minutes with a 19-7 advantage.

Northern New Mexico opened the second frame on a 14-2 run in the first five minutes, setting the score at 21-21. The quarter ended with both teams going back and forth, with Amand converting in the paint to give the Greyhounds a narrow 30-29 lead at halftime.

Eastern opened the third quarter at full speed, sparking a 12-3 streak in the opening 3:25. In the opening stretch, ENMU found points on five of its opening seven possessions, pushing the score to 42-32. After an NNMC basket, the Hounds started a 10-0 run over the next five minutes. Bella Stonecapped off the streak with two layups, including a forcing a turnover and finishing with a fast break layup. Eastern ended the third quarter 55-36, after outscoring the Lady Eagles 25-7 in the third frame.

Each team traded baskets in the opening stages of the quarter, with the Hounds holding a 64-43 edge. Eastern closed the final seven minutes of the game on a 14-2 run, with Eastern forcing six turnovers in the final stages of the quarter. In the end, the Hounds claimed a 78-45 win over the Lady Eagles.

NOTABLE STATS

  • The Hounds dominated the second half, outscoring NNMC 48-16 in the final two quarters. ENMU controlled the paint, outscoring the Lady Eagles 46-18 in the paint.
  • The Greyhounds recorded 14 steals, forcing Northern New Mexico into 28 turnovers.
  • Amand led the team in points and rebounds going 8-10 from the field, for 16 points along with eight rebounds during the game. Laura Rowe marked the game with 15 points (5-10, 3-6 3PT), while Stice added 13 points to the contest.
  • Stone lead the team with five assists on the night, along with five rebounds and two steals. Defensively, Stice led the team with five steals.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • ENMU played a home contest (exhibition or official) in front of fans for the first time since Mar. 3, 2020 in an LSC Postseason win over Oklahoma Christian 70-52.
  • Eastern kickoff the 2021-22 season at the LSC/RMAC Conference Challenge held in Silver City, N.M. Eastern will open its season against Fort Lewis College on Friday, Nov. 12, with tip-off at 5 p.m. The Hounds close its weekend trip against New Mexico Highlands University on Saturday, Nov. 13, with a 4 p.m. start time.