Game Recap: Women’s Basketball |  | Cameron Brennan

Solid free throw shooting from Eastern New Mexico women’s basketball, pushed themselves past St. Edward’s University, 62-54, on Saturday afternoon at Greyhound Arena. The Hounds move to 7-6 overall, and 3-4 in Lone Star Conference (LSC) play. On the other side, the Hilltoppers slip to 9-9 on the season, and 2-5 in LSC action.

The Hounds jumped out in front right from the start, with a 11-3 streak over the first six minutes and ten seconds of the first quarter. Natalie Stice and MeMe Amand found two baskets each, while Iyanna McCurdy contributed a layup in the opening stages. Eastern dictating the rest of the quarter, with Eastern scoring the final four points of the period after two Julia Chavez free throws and a Kamirah Decker layup, 15-6 ENMU.

ENMU continued to frustrate the Hilltoppers offense in the second period. The St. Edward’s offense only finished with three field goals in the second quarter, while the Greyhounds capitalized offensively. Amand started the quarter with a three-point play after being fouled. Then, Hanna Nussbaumer and Decker found a basket, and Anasha Hurst poked away a loose ball and finished the transition layup to put ENMU up 27-14. Both teams headed to the lockerroom with the Hounds leading 27-16.

SEU erased the deficit in the first five minutes of the second half, pulling together a 15-4 run in that time, ENMU 31-29. However, the Hounds put together a rally of its own outscoring the Hilltoppers 14-6 over the final five minutes of the quarter. In the streak, Stice compiled 10 points, with McCurdy and Chavez sinking two free-throws each. Eastern took a 45-35 advantage into the final frame.

Into the fourth quarter, the Hounds continued to add to its lead. Eastern reached its largest lead of the night with 5:40 left to play as Stice nailed a triple giving the Hounds a 54-39 lead. SEU chipped away at the Greyhounds lead down the stretch, but ran out of time as the Hounds pulled away 62-54 win over St. Edward’s.

NOTABLE STATS

  • Overall, the Hounds posted a shooting percentage of 27.1% (19-70) from the field, 8.3% (1-12) from three, and 71.9% (23-32) from the free throw line. Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers collected a 29.1% (16-55) shooting percentage, 22.7% (5-22) from range, and 77.3% (17-22) at the line.
  • ENMU dominated down low, scoring 30 points in the paint compared to the 16 points in the paint from the Hilltopper. The Hounds also capitalized on second chances, outscoring St. Edward’s 22-9 on second chance points.
  • Stice led all scorers with 21 points on 7-17 shooting, and 6-7 from the charity stripe. Decker totaled 10 points from the bench, while Amand tallied nine points and McCurdy added eight points.
  • Stice also led the team in rebounds, pulling down 12 boards. Amand and McCurdy each found eight rebounds, while Decker was next best with six boards.
  • Hurst and Bella Stone each had two assists (team highs), and Decker led the way for steals with three. Stice and McCurdy each recorded a block.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • The Hounds have now tied the all time series with the Hilltoppers at 2-2. Eastern captured its first win over St. Edward’s since 2004, when the Hounds won 64-60 in Austin, Texas. This also marks ENMU’s first win against SEU at Greyhound Arena.
  • Stice tied a season high 21 points while pulling down a career best 12 rebounds. Stice recorded their second double-double of the season, with their first coming against New Mexico Highlands on Nov. 13, 2021, with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
  • As a team, Eastern produced a seasons best 23 made free throw during the game, along with a season high 32 free throw attempts. The Hounds also recorded its most rebounds in a single game this season with 55 boards, and for field goal attempts with 70.
  • The Greyhounds hit the road for its next contest on Thursday, Jan. 27, as UT Permian Basin is the next opponent. First tip from Odessa, Texas is set for 4:15 p.m. MST.