Game Recap: Women’s Basketball | 2/10/2022 8:00:00 PM | Cameron Brennan

A last second layup pushed Cameron University past Eastern New Mexico women’s basketball, 73-72, on Thursday evening at Aggie Gym. Eastern fall to 9-10 on the season, with a 5-8 conference record. The Aggies improve to 12-7 overall and 8-2 in conference play.

Both teams got off to a hot start, with each side hitting two threes to open the game, 6-6. Anasha Hurst was responsible for both triples for the Hounds. Cameron gained a bit of separation after an 8-4 run gave the Aggies a 14-10 advantage. Julia Chavez closed the quarter with a three-pointer, to set the score at 17-14 CU.

The second frame began with both teams trading baskets, putting the Aggies ahead 26-17. At that moment, the Greyhounds went on a 10-2 streak to bring the score to 28-27 CU. Bella Stone and Iyanna McCurdy each found layups, along with Natalie Stice and Laura Rowe both naileing three pointers. Cameron responded with a 9-3 stretch of its own, and closed the quarter ahead 39-33 over the Hounds.

McCurdy took control of the game to start the third quarter. McCurdy began the quarter with nine straight points to surge the Hounds ahead 42-39. In the 9-0 run, McCurdy found two layups in transition, then McCurdy converted another basket down low while getting fouled and make the subsequent free throw, and ended the run with another layup. After the Hounds pushed their lead to 46-42, Cameron scored 11 straight points after three 3-pointers and two free throws. The third period ended 53-49 CU.

With the Hounds trailing 61-53 midway through the fourth quarter, Stice and Stone each nailed threes, a Hounds free throw, and a MeMe Amand’s layup put the score at 63-62 CU. The quarter continued as the Hounds tried to get back in the game. Trailing 68-62, ENMU pulled the game back to 71-71 with Stice finding a layup with six seconds to play. However, Cameron used the next possession to find a driving layup with just a few ticks left on the clock, 73-71 CU. Eastern had two free throws before the game ended, but were only able to make one of the two free throws, ending the game 73-72 Cameron.

NOTABLE STATS

• Eastern filled the boxscore with a shooting percentage of 44.4% (28-63) from the field, 50.0% (9-18) from behind the arc, and 7-12 at the free throw line. Cameron posted a field goal percentage of 39.4% (26-66), 42.9% (15-35) from range, and 6-13 at the free throw line.
• The Greyhounds were superior in the paint, 36-16, while also outrebounding the Aggies, 45-38. ENMU also lead the game with 17 points on the fast break compared to four points on the break for Cameron.
• McCurdy led all scorers with 24 points (10-19 FG, 4-6 FT), while Stice contributed 19 points. Hurst added nine points, and Stone contributed seven points to the Hounds offense.
• McCurdy and Stice were the leading rebounders for Eastern, with nine rebounds and seven rebounds respectively. Hanna Nussbaumer pulled down seven boards off the bench.
• Stice dished out six assists, and Stone picked up five assists on the night. Stone helped the defensive effort with three steals, and Hurst and Nussbaumer each had a block.

FROM THE SOURCE

“I’m incredibly proud of this group and how hard we fought in this tough battle of a road game” said Head Women’s Basketball Coach Meghan De los Reyes. “Against the best shooting team in the league, we withstood their scoring runs with aggressiveness of our own on the the offensive end” said De los Reyes. “We did a great job rebounding, stopping the drive and getting out in transition, which will give us a ton of momentum going into Saturday”.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Cameron nabbed the win on the evening, but the Hounds still hold the all-time series lead 27-15.
• Eastern set a season high with 50.0% 3PT field goal percentage, on 9-18 shooting from distance, also a season high for three pointers made. 50.0% shooting from three is tied 10^th in program history, last shooting 50.0% against Texas Permian Basin on 14-28 shooting (1/11/20).
• Stice tied a career high six assists during the game, and set a single-game high for assists this season
• Stone marked the game with a career high in both points, seven, and assists, five.
• Nussbaumer found a career high seven rebounds, beating the pervious mark of five against St. Edward’s (Jan. 22, 2022).
• McCurdy accounted for 14 of the Greyhounds 16 points in the third quarter.
• The Hounds set their focus on Saturday, as Eastern will play West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. First tip is set for 1 p.m. (MST) at the First Bank United Center.