Women Lose to ENMU, 59-53

January 5, 2009

PORTALES, N.M. - Southwestern Oklahoma State University found a way to rally back from a double-digit deficit only to lose in the final minutes to Eastern New Mexico University in a women's basketball game by a 59-53 score Monday on the road.

The loss kept SWOSU winless in five tries on the road and dropped its overall record to 3-8. The Bulldogs will next play at home Thursday against Tarleton State University. The game will have a special matinee start time beginning at 2 p.m.

The Bulldogs were down by as many as 14 points before going on a scoring tear to open the second half. SWOSU took its first and only led when Lucy Ramon hit back-to-back jumpers putting the Bulldogs ahead 41-40 with 11:30 to play.

Jenna Sprague, who led the Bulldogs with 12 points, was the spark in the 19-4 run that tightened the game. Sprague scored the first six points in the surge and added another basket later as the Bulldogs caught fire.

ENMU, which improved to 9-7 with the win, managed to keep the Bulldogs in check from that point. The Zias took a small lead thanks to a three-pointer by Cat Clay who finished the game with 13 points to move back ahead 45-42 with 9:32 to play.

The Bulldogs had it tied one last time when Erin Wright swished a pair of free throws with 5:18 to play creating a 50-50 tie. SWOSU would only score one more basket from that point on as the Zias hit seven-of-eight free throws down the stretch to keep in front.

SWOSU finished the game making 37% of its shots after a tough first half when the Bulldogs managed to make seven-of-25 attempts for 28%. ENMU enjoyed a considerable advantage at the charity stripe making 17-of-26 free throws compared to just 11-of-14 makes on the SWOSU end.

Both teams had 35 rebounds apiece while the Bulldogs turned the ball over 24 times to ENMU's 21.