Tucker finds Pit to her liking

link Courtesy photo

Former Melrose standout Cassidy Doherty led the Zias with four assists.

Staff report

ALBUQUERQUE — Suffice it to say, Eastern New Mexico University senior forward Ton Tucker likes playing at The Pit.

Tucker, who scored 21 points in a season-opening exhibition against the University of New Mexico on the Lobos’ home court, finished with 25 points and seven rebounds on Saturday night in helping the Zias post a 77-61 victory over Western New Mexico.

Junior guard Jaylyn Cooper’s 3-pointer broke the scoring ice in the opening minute and ENMU (1-2) never relinquished the lead. The Lady

Mustangs (1-1) cut an 11-point deficit to two late in the first half before the Zias pulled away.

Cooper finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, while junior guard Shayla Williams and junior post Brittany Gutierrez added 10 points apiece. Senior Jasmine Johnson and junior Sarah Stinnett each grabbed eight rebounds as the Zias dominated WNMU 46-36 on the glass.

Leading 36-27 at halftime, ENMU stayed in control most of the second half with the help of 15-of-17 free throw shooting Conversely, the Lady Mustangs just 15-of-33 from the line and converted two of 16 from 3-point range.

The teams battled on even terms through the first part of the second half before a basket by Williams at the 12:30 mark pushed the Zias’ lead to 50-35. Western was never able to get closer than seven after that, and Tucker finished off the win with the game’s final eight points — six free throws and a layup over the final 30 seconds.

ENMU had 18 assists on its 27 field goals, with junior guard Cassie Doherty collecting a team-high four.

Senior guard RaTanya Newsome, who beat the Zias with a late 3-pointer last February at Greyhound Arena, led the Lady Mustangs with 13 points, but was only 4-of-12 from the field and 4-of-11 from the free throw line.