Late Run Not Enough As Women’s Basketball Falls To St. Edward’s

Late Run Not Enough As Women’s Basketball Falls To St. Edward’s -Women’s Basketball 12/14/2019 5:11:00 PM Zac Alfers

AUSTIN, Texas – The Eastern New Mexico women’s basketball team was able to mount a run down the stretch but, the rally came too late as the Hounds fell 78-70 to St. Edward’s Saturday afternoon.

Sophomore point guard Zamorye Cox scored a career-high 22 points as the Portales High School standout shot 40 percent from beyond the arch and also added seven rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals. Junior post player Alivia Lewis finished a rebound shy of a double-double, recording 17 points and nine boards.

Senior Natalie DeLonge turned in one of her best performances in a Greyhound uniform, tallying 14 points and five rebounds while leading the team with three blocked shots and two steals. Sophomore Kamirah Decker finished as the fourth Eastern player to record double-digit scoring figures and matched her season-high with ten points.

The Hounds shot 41.1 percent from the field connecting on 30 of their 73 field goal attempts however, the High Plains squad struggled from the charity stripe connecting on just 50 percent of their free throws and left six points on the line. Eastern did beat the Hilltoppers on the glass totaling 47 rebounds compared to St. Ed’s 40 while the Hounds were able to corral 19 boards on the offensive end of the floor and converted those opportunities into 23 second half points.

The Greyhounds captured the first four points of the game but would fail to regain the lead after relinquishing their advantage. St. Edward’s would rely on its efficient scoring and tough defense to build a 42-28 lead before halftime.

The Green and Silver battled back in the second half and outscored the Hilltoppers 42-36 in the final two quarters of play. Just three minutes into the third quarter St. Edward’s would extend its lead to 19 points, its largest of the game.

With 4:20 remaining in the regulation, a turn-around jumper from DeLonge would pull the Hounds into striking distance as they trailed by just six points. Eastern would succumb to the Hilltoppers relentless defense and committed four costly turnovers in the final minutes of the game as the home squad would hold on for the victory.

The Hounds return to Portales next week as they will host UAFS inside the rowdy Greyhound Arena on Thursday in the team’s LSC home opener.