- Box Score
PORTALES, N.M. – The No. 25 TexAnns escaped Eastern New Mexico with a 65-59 win after some late game free throws helped Tarleton remain undefeated in Lone Star Conference South Division play.
Both teams got off to a rough start with a couple of turnovers on the opening possessions by the TexAnns and Zias, but it was Brittnie Haley that opened the scoring with a lay-up in a congested lane. ENMU was able to counter with a three-pointer just before Haley added an old-fashioned three-point play to put Tarleton up 5-3.
Haley scored the TexAnns' first seven points of the ballgame, with Adamson hitting a three-pointer to give Tarleton a 10-6 lead heading into the first media break.
The TexAnns came out of the break with a quick four points on a Jenna Harris lay-up, courtesy of a nice back-door pass from Kiara Wright, and a Shelby Adamson drive to the basket, forcing the Zias to take an early time out.
Despite getting into a rhythm offensively, Tarleton had trouble pulling away from the 3-13 Zias as ENMU hung with the TexAnns for the most part. Tarleton had stretches of seven and five straight points, but the Zias countered with back-to-back three pointers at the 7:50 mark, making it 21-18 in the TexAnns' favor.
Haley began heating up getting four straight Tarleton points in just over 30 seconds, giving the TexAnns a 31-22 lead with 3:30 remaining. Tarleton and ENMU traded shots over the finals three minutes of the half, though the TexAnns held the advantage the entire stretch.
Tarleton led by as many as 11 in the opening 20 minutes, as the TexAnns ended the half ahead 35-27.
With a stifling defense, Tarleton was able to force 15 turnovers and hold the Zias to 45 percent from the field.
As a team, the TexAnns shot just 37.1 percent, but went 7-of-7 from the charity stripe. Tarleton also out-rebounded ENMU 21-14 over the first 20 minutes.
Haley led all scorers with 13 points to go along with five rebounds, while Adamson added nine points. And three assists. Wright came off the bench for Tarleton to contribute six boards, three assists and two steals.
Trailing eight to start the second half, ENMU was the team that came out of the locker room on fire, climbing back to take a four-point lead, 39-35, by the 15:50 mark. The Zias scored the first 12 points of the half as Tarleton was unable to stop the ENMU attack.
Wright was able to end the TexAnn drought and the Zia run with a pair of free throws with 15:29 on the clock. Tara Towns followed with a basket-and-one giving Tarleton back a 40-39 lead.
With both teams getting a lead in the second half, the TexAnns and Zias both stepped up the intensity, trading baskets for a few minutes. An Adamson free throw locked the teams up at 41-41 with 12:00 left in the game.
ENMU took advantage of a home crowd and a couple of fouls to take a 48-44 lead with under eight minutes remaining in the game. Tarleton was able to make a few tough baskets, but not in succession like the Zias were able to.
Opposite of the first half, the TexAnns found themselves playing catch-up in the second half. But on a pair of Wright free throws at the 5:35 mark, Tarleton was able to tie the game back up at 49-49, making for an interesting final five minutes of the game.
After a three-point run by the Zias, the TexAnns faced a 52-49 deficit coming out of the final media time out of the game.
Adamson, Tarleton's leading-scorer and reigning Lone Star Conference South Division Offensive Player of the Week, converted on a pair of tough lay-ups in the paint while drawing fouls and added a free throw to give the TexAnns a 54-52 lead with 2:50 remaining.
ENMU answered with a jumper by their leading scorer Precious Herrin, making it a 54-54 game as time became a factor.
Tara Towns sunk a clutch three-pointer with 2:15 to play to put Tarleton back on top 57-54, but a Zia basket put ENMU back within one as the clock rolled past the 1:30 mark. After a Wright put-back, the Zias took a late time out with just 0:40 left on the clock and a 59-56 TexAnn advantage.
That is when the desperation set in for ENMU as they tried to foul their way back into the game. Haley converted on a pair of clutch free throws with 0:36 remaining, extending Tarleton's lead to five points.
In coincidence with the rest of the game, it was not over for the TexAnns as the Zias made a basket and a free throw to make it a two-point game with 0:10 left on the clock. Once again, Adamson was called upon to make a pair of crucial free throws to put the lead back to four with 0:09 left in the contest.
Fortunately for Tarleton, there is no four-point shot as the Zias' three-pointer fell short and into the hands of Sonya Sundberg, whose late free throws clinched the game for the TexAnns.
Tarleton walked away with a well-earned 65-59 victory over the Zias of Eastern New Mexico.
The TexAnns (14-2, 4-0 LSC) toppled ENMU (3-13, 1-3 LSC) with 32.8 percent shooting from the floor, but hit 22 of their 28 free throws, while the Zias shot 41.5 percent but went 55.6 percent from the line.
In a game that saw six lead changes and five ties, Tarleton was led by their usual suspects. Adamson led the TexAnns with 18 points to go along with five rebounds, three assists and nine made free throws. Haley added 16 points and nine boards to Tarleton's efforts, while Wright came up one rebound shy of her career high with 15 boards. Wright also contributed four assists and four steals for the TexAnns.
ENMU on the other hand was led by Precious Herrin's 16 points, with Vanessa O'Neal adding 12 points and 10 boards. A major factor late in the game was Tarleton's ability to out-rebound the Zias 43-36 in the game.
Tarleton returns to action Wednesday, Jan. 26 in Canyon, as the TexAnns take on West Texas A&M with the winner taking a lead in the LSC South. The Lady Buffs are also 4-0 and tied atop the South Division standings.
