DENTON, Texas (Jan. 7, 2016) – An early 7-0 lead for Texas Woman's University transitioned into an overall sluggish offensive output by the Pioneers in a 60-49 loss to Lone Star Conference co-leader Eastern New Mexico Saturday afternoon inside Kitty Magee Arena to snap a five-game win streak.
The Pioneers (10-4, 3-3 LSC) connected on 16-of-56 from the field (29%), including 1-of-9 (11%) from three-point range, and shot 16-of-28 (57%) from the free-throw line.
Kenesha Saygo was the lone Pioneer in double figures with 10.
Emily Spector totaled eight while
Alexis Nezianya chipped in 10. The 49 total points produced is the lowest offensive production in nearly a year dating to when the Pioneers recorded 41 in a loss to West Texas A&M Jan. 9, 2016.
TWU held the Greyhounds (10-3, 6-0 LSC) scoreless for the first six and-a-half minutes on 0-of-10 shooting to build a 7-0 lead. ENMU awoke with a force offensively by rattling off 26 straight points before Spector record a bucket in the paint halfway through the second quarter to end a 13-minute Pioneer scoring drought. A three by ENMU put the Greyhounds up 29-9 at the 3:33 mark, but
Deja Pointer knocked down a pair of free throws and
Kenesha Saygo came through with two jumpers and a shot from the line to close the first half on a 7-0 run to pull the Pioneers to within 29-16.
The Greyhounds scored on the opening play of the second half to up the lead to 31-16, but
Grace Mitchell countered with a basket underneath on the next trip down the floor.
Morgan Easley hit a jumper in the lane that sparked a 10-0 TWU run to pull the Pioneers to within 35-30 with four minutes to play in the third. ENMU then scored four straight to end the period claiming a 43-33 lead.
Two free throws by K.J. Stastny and a jumper by Pointer sliced the margin to 43-37 30 seconds into the final quarter. The Greyhounds made a layup to jump ahead 47-38 at the 8:10 mark before
Cienna Rodriguez nailed a three from the left side. Two free throws by Easley kept the Pioneers to within 49-43 before two scores in the paint by ENMU pushed the lead into double digits at 53-43 with 4:46 left to play.
Alexis Nezianya posted two free throws with four and-a-half minutes to go and then a jumper to keep the Pioneers in contention at 47-56, but the Greyhounds were able to hold on for the victory.
The Pioneers travel to Tarleton State Thursday for a 5:30 p.m. contest.
