Incarnate Word drubs Zias

SAN ANTONIO — Freshman Nelsha Peterson scored on Eastern New Mexico University's first possession Saturday afternoon. After that, it was all Incarnate Word.

The Cardinals built a double-figure lead with a 10-0 run midway through the half and cruised past the Zias 64-39 in Lone Star Conference women's basketball.

The Zias (3-12, 2-5 LSC), who had won three of four coming in after an 0-10 start, struggled mightily again in this one. They shot 31 percent from the field (16-of-52), committed 18 turnovers and were outrebounded by UIW 40-28.

Junior forward Lauren McKinney scored 14 points, senior guard Ashlyn Green added 11 points and a game-high seven rebounds and senior guard Katy Cooke chipped in 10 points for the Cardinals (9-4, 5-2).

ENMU's leading scorers were senior Tara Johnson and freshmen Jaylyn Cooper and Ashlee Pierson, all with seven points.

The Zias tied the game 6-6 and trailed just 11-10 after baskets by Peterson and Hannah Altheide before the Cardinals took off, fueled by a 3-pointer and a basket from Cooke and six points from Green. ENMU pulled to 21-15 with just under three minutes left in the half, but scored just one point the rest of the stanza as UIW built a 29-16 cushion.

Green hit a 3-pointer in the opening minute of the second half and the Cardinals eventually opened a 29-point margin with under two minutes to go.