Zias set school scoring record in rout of OPSU

GOODWELL, Okla. — Eastern New Mexico University’s women set a school record for points Monday night in blowing out Oklahoma Panhandle State 122-100.

The Zias (3-8), who came in averaging 63.9 points, eclipsed the previous standard of 117 set in a December 1979 clash against Sul Ross State. ENMU also reached the century mark against the Lady Aggies (3-11) in a 100-96 win at home in mid-November, and now is averaging more than 100 points over its last two games after failing to reach 50 in five of the previous seven.

Six ENMU players finished in with at least eight points. Senior forward Precious Herrin scored 35 points and grabbed nine rebounds in just 21 minutes, while senior guard Kiara Tate added a career-best 23 points with seven rebounds and four assists, also in 21 minutes.

Freshman post Jasmine Johnson, who had scored just two points in seven games this season, notched 17 on 8-of-12 shooting off the bench while junior guard Hannah Altheide shot 7-of-9 from the field and tied her career best with 16 points.

The Zias shot better than 60 percent in each half, finishing at 63 percent (48-of-76), and added 26-of-29 from the free throw line. Meantime, the Lady Aggies (3-11) were 31-of-89 from the floor for 35 percent.

While ENMU went 0-for-1 from 3-point range, OPSU fired up 49 tries from beyond the arc, hitting 13.

For the Lady Aggies, averaging 92 points and allowing 100 per game coming in, reserve Camille Washington lead four players in double figures with 20 points. No one played as much as 20 minutes for OPSU, while 12 players were between 10 and 19 minutes.

The Lady Aggies took their only lead 5-4 on a 3-pointer by Rosa Quinonez with 18:23 left in the half, but a layup by Altheide and two baskets from Herrin put ENMU in front for good.

Herrin’s basket with 9:53 left in the half made it 35-25 and the margin stayed in double figures the rest of the way. ENMU’s biggest lead was 120-95 on two free throws by Altheide with 1:48 to go.

The Zias return to Lone Star Conference play with a 5:30 p.m. clash against Tarleton State on Wednesday at Greyhound Arena.