Zias routed by Northeastern State

PORTALES — Northeastern State was hot, The Zias were not.

After winning five of its first seven games, Eastern New Mexico University lost its second consecutive game, dropping a 78-51 Lone Star Conference women’s crossover to Northeastern State Thursday at Greyhound Arena.

The Zias (5-3) built an early 18-12 lead, but the RiverHawks scored 18 of the next 20 and never trailed again.

Northeastern State (3-3) shot nearly 53 percent from the field, including 9-of-17 on 3-pointers, while the Zias shot 32 percent.

“They shot well and we didn’t,” Zias sophomore post Kara Bible said. “That played a big factor in how the game turned out.”

For Zias coach Linden Weese, it came down to missing shots and not challenging shots on defense.

“They shot a great (game),” Weese said. “Part of that is our fault. We didn’t play hard enough to guard them.”

Jasmine Webb led Northeastern State with 18 points, while senior guard Lindsey Sams scored 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the 3-point arc.

Sophomore Cat Clay led the Zias with 11 points, followed by Bible’s 10 points.

The Zias outrebounded Northeastern State on the offensive boards, but Weese says they should have made more out of those chances.

“We had a lot more chances for offensive rebounds that they did,” he said. “We didn’t take advantages of the rebounds that we did get on the offensive side.

“We just didn’t play well.”

Freshman center Kassie Daugherty led the Zias with nine rebounds, including five offensive boards.

Jasmine Wright added 11 points for Northeastern State.

The Zias host Central Oklahoma on Saturday, then start a four-game road trip Dec. 13 at Southeastern Oklahoma.

“We’ll see if they learn from it,” Weese said. “I hope they will. They’re disappointed with their effort and I think most of them were embarrassed with their effort — and they should have been.”