Eastern's Malouff and Bible Combine for 28 Points Against #17 West Texas A&M
by ENMU Athletics
CANYON, TEXAS— With the Eastern New Mexico University women’s basketball team (4-19; LSC South 1-9) facing a 16-2 deficit 4:16 into their contest at 17th ranked West Texas A&M, freshman forward Kara Bible (Texico, N.M./Texico HS) hit a pair of free throws to ignite a 10-2 run, trimming the deficit to just six points, 18-12, but the Zias could come no closer, dropping a 78-57 decision to the Lady Buffs (19-4; LSC South 9-1) in Lone Star Conference South Division action Saturday evening at the First United Bank Center.
After winning the tip-off , the Lady Buffs wasted little time getting on the board, scoring on a Jamie Dreiling three-pointer 16 seconds into the game. The basket sparked a 16-2 run over the opening 3:41 of the game. Eastern responded with a 10-2 run fueled by eight points from Bible.
The West Texas A&M used a 20-4 run capped by a Megan McLain free throw over the ensuing 8:29 to hold a 38-16 lead with 2:47 left in the opening half. Malouff hit a three-pointer with 2:34 remaining on the clock to spark seven straight Zia points as part of an 11-5 run to conclude the opening half, trimming the deficit to 43-27 at halftime. In the opening period, Bible and Malouff accounted for 23 of ENMU’s 27 points, with the duo connecting on eight of their eleven shots from the floor.
Neither team could sustain momentum in the second half, as the Lady Buffs held a 35-30 edge in scoring in the period. West Texas held their largest lead of the game at 70-42 with 7:11 remaining, but eight straight points by the Zias including treys from Megan Kabrick (So., F, Portales, N.M./Portales HS) and Lacey Acker (Fr., G, Nazareth, Texas/Nazareth HS) trimmed the deficit to 70-50 with 5:09 left. The teams traded baskets down the stretch with WT claiming the victory.
Bible hit six of her eight shots on the way to a career-best 14 points, tying Malouff for the team-high. Acker chipped in 10 points, while Til-Lois Fifer (Fr., F, Tulia, Texas/Tulia HS) added eight points and five rebounds. Emily Brister paced the Lady Buffs with a game-high 23 points, eight boards and five steals.
The Eastern New Mexico University women’s basketball team will continue their road swing on February 21st when they face Texas Woman’s University in another LSC South contest. Tip-off will be at 6 p.m. MST.
