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Zias defeat Lady Ags

GOODWELL, Okla. — Senior guard Heather Brown kicked off an 8-0 run by hitting a tie-breaking 3-pointer with eight minutes left Saturday night as Eastern New Mexico University’s women defeated Oklahoma Panhandle State 64-57 in their season opener.

Brown finished with a team-best 12 points for the Zias, while Elizabeth Richards and Ashley Davis added 10 points. Richards also grabbed seven rebounds, while guard Rochelle Vance came off the bench for eight points and 10 rebounds.

Neither team shot well, both just over 30 percent. The Zias won the game in part by hitting 24-of-32 free throws, compared with 18-of-24 for the Lady Aggies (1-1).

Megan Hamilton was Panhandle’s only player in double figures, finishing with 21 points.

ENMU led most of the first half, but the Lady Aggies erased an eight-point deficit by ending the half on a 14-3 run for a 28-25 advantage.

The Zias went on a 10-0 run early in the second half, keyed by 3-pointers from Richards and Laura Vote, to take a 35-30, but Panhandle pulled even at 35-35 on a tip-in by Sedra Watkins with 13:32 to go. The score was then tied four more times before Brown’s trey gave the Zias the lead for good.

ENMU opened a 60-49 lead on two free throws by Richards with 3:21 left and held on down the stretch.