LUBBOCK, Texas – The Eastern New Mexico women’s basketball team wrapped up 2018 and its non-conference schedule on a tough note as the Hounds lost a challenging game at Lubbock Christian 64-48 on Monday.
The Hounds (7-3) struggled out of the gate as a Tilasha Okey three-pointer at the 6:20 mark in the first quarter was ENMU’s only field goal of the period as the Lady Chaps (10-4) took a nine-point lead into the second.
Both teams couldn’t find the bottom of the net through the first 2:30 of the second quarter, but the Hounds got back-to-back buckets from Shelby Jones and Chelsea Hunter to break the ice and make it a 15-10 game.
Lubbock Christian built its lead back to 11 with an 11-6 run to stretch its advantage to 27-16 with 1:40to go in the half, but the Greyhounds closed out the period strong, scoring on back-to-back possessions with a Sydney Clark pull-up jumper and a Treyanna Clay layup off an offensive rebound on ENMU’s final possession. The Greyhounds were able to hold off the Lady Chaps from scoring on the last play of the half to keep it to a 27-20 game going into the break.
After going 1-for-12 (8 percent) from the floor in the first quarter, the Hounds performed better offensively in the second period, going 7-of-17 (41 percent) from the field. Jones led the Greyhounds with six points while Clay tallied six boards during the opening half.
The Greyhounds offense couldn’t find a rhythm coming out of the gate in the third quarter as the Lady Chaps opened the period with a 10-0 run over the first three minutes to expand the edge to 37-20. Lubbock Christian continued to build upon its advantage over the course of the quarter with their largest lead at 49-27 coming at the 1:27 mark.
The Hounds mounted a 5-1 rally, closing out the quarter on consecutive Clay layups and a free throw to set the score at 50-32 heading into the fourth. The Greyhounds couldn’t muster a comeback effort on the Lady Chaps as Lubbock Christian held on to the 64-48 win.
Clay led the offensive efforts for ENMU with her second double-double of the season, recording 15 points and 10 rebounds, including a season-high seven offensive rebounds. Clay also led the passing efforts with a career-best six assists.
Freshman guard Zamorye Cox was the only other Greyhound to score in double-figures, tallying 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting and converting on 3-of-6 from the three-point arc to go with a season-best five rebounds and a pair of steals. Jones chipped in eight points, six rebounds, and two steals in the losing effort.
With the Hounds wrapping up non-conference play, Eastern will turn its attention back toward Lone Star Conference play as the Hounds will return to conference play on Thursday, Jan. 3 for a 5:30 p.m. contest at Western New Mexico.
