Women's Basketball 12/30/2021 10:00:00 AM Cameron Brennan WOMEN'S BASKETBALL STARTS LSC PLAY AGAINST THE DUSTDEVILS AND JAVELINAS

Women’s Basketball 12/30/2021 10:00:00 AM Cameron Brennan

Eastern New Mexico women’s basketball is set to start Lone Star Conference (LSC) play this weekend. First, the Hounds travel to Laredo, Texas to take on Texas A&M International University on Dec. 31 with a 2 p.m. MST start. Eastern will ring in the new year with a contest at Texas A&M University-Kingsville on Jan. 2 slated for a 1 p.m. MST tip-off.

ON THE AIR

Both of the games will be broadcast on 105.9 KSEL-FM and KSELCountry.com with Donald “Doc” Elder calling the action. Games will also be broadcast on 106.5 KEND in Roswell and Artesia.

LAST TIME OUT

ENMU return after a three-week layoff, coming off an 55-49 road victory over Western New Mexico University. The Greyhounds jumped out to a 17-point lead in the first half, and walked away with the road win. The Hounds were led by Natalie Stice, Iyanna McCurdy, and Stacy Ajobiewe all pouring in 11 points.

SCOUTING THE HOUNDS

The Hounds enter the weekend 4-2 on the season. Eastern is scoring 59.8 points per game (ppg), and allowing just 61.3 ppg. ENMU are producing a 37.7% shooting percentage, 31.3% from range, and 62.0% from the free throw line. The Greyhounds are finding 38.3 rebounds per game (rpg), 8.8 assists per game (apg), 8.7 steals per game (spg), and 2.5 blocks per game (bpg).

Stice leads Eastern with 14.2 ppg and 6.7 rpg. Laura Rowe is adding 8.5 ppg, along with MeMe Amand contributing 7.8 ppg. Kamirah Decker pulls down 5.7 rpg, with Amand finding 4.5 rpg. Bella Stone leads the team in assists (2.3 apg) and steals (2.3 spg).

Around the conference, Eastern is holding teams to just 34.8% shooting from the field (3^rd in LSC). Stice, Decker, and Stone all hold top-10 marks in the LSC; Stice-14.2 ppg (10^th), Decker-1.2 bpg (8^th), and Stone-2.3 spg (5^th).

SCOUTING THE COMPETITION

Texas A&M International University

Entering the weekend, the Dustdevils hold an impressive 9-1 record following a victory over Texas A&M-Texarkana on Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 29, 90-59 at the DCC Christian Classic.

TAMIU are one of the top scoring teams in the conference, pouring in 79.5 ppg (2^nd), and only allowing 64.6 ppg. The Dustdevils are the most efficient team in the LSC, recording a shooting percentage of 48.8% from the field. Texas A&M-International also pose a threat from behind-the-arc, with a 3P% of 32.3% (3^rd), along with a free throw percentage of 68.9%. TAMIU are finding 33.8 rpg, but are holding teams to 30.3 rpg, standing in first in that category in the LSC. The Dustdevils are also the best passing team in the conference, providing an LSC high 19.5 apg. Texas A&M-International are finding 2.1 bpg, along with 12.5 spg (2^nd in LSC).

Rai Brown sits atop the scoring charts for TAMIU with 20.2 ppg, enough for 2^nd in conference standings. Emily Swiercz and Eva Langton each contribute more than 10.0 ppg, 12.9 ppg and 11.1 ppg, respectively. Clara Fernandez leads the team in rebounds, pulling down 6.1 rpg, while Brown adds 5.4 rpg.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville

The Javelinas enter the weekend standing at 6-4 overall, and will play Lubbock Christian on Friday afternoon before taking on the Hounds on Sunday. TAMUK will come off the back of a 56-52 loss against St. Mary’s before the holiday break.

On the season, Texas A&M-Kingsville is posting 59.3 ppg and holding teams to 58.1 ppg, which stands as the third best scoring defense in the LSC. Overall, the Javelinas are holding a 37.2% field goal percentage, 30.0% shooting from deep, and 71.9% from the line. On the glass, TAMUK pull down 33.1 rpg, while distributing 10.7 apg. Additional, Texas A&M-Kingsville is posting 8.9 spg and 2.6 bpg.

Brianna Pena paces the Javelinas in points, averaging 11.2 ppg, Mia Cherry sits just behind with 9.8 ppg. Anastacia Mickens is the teams leading rebounder with 5.5 rpg, while Georgia Ohiaeri contributes 4.3 rpg.