Zias win third straight

After a bit of a stumble to start the season, the Eastern New Mexico University women’s basketball team has reeled off three straight wins.

On Thursday, senior forward Tori Tucker of Floyd scored 22 points and the Zias beat Florida Southern 66-48 Thursday in the first round of the Terrace Hotel Classic in Lakeland, Florida.

Jaylyn Cooper of Texico and Sarah Stinnett of Fort Sumner each added 11 points as ENMU (4-5) converted a season-best nine 3-pointers, including three each by Cooper and Stinnett.

Sydni Payne and Syerra Davis scored 12 points each for Florida Southern (5-3), which is hosting the two-day tournament.

With the score tied at 22 with 3:58 left in the opening half, Stinnett drained a 3-pointer to ignite a 7-0 run, capped by a short jumper from Tucker, for a 29-22 Zias’ lead 11 seconds into the second half. Florida Southern never got closer than five points the rest of the way.

Notable

• The 17-point win marked the largest margin of victory for the Zias since a 39-point win over University of the Southwest last season.

• At 27-22, ENMU led at halftime for the seventh in nine games.

• By a 38-36 margin, the Zias outrebounded its opponent for the seventh time in nine games — Tucker led the way with eight.

• Tucker has now scored 20 or more points in three games this season and seven times in her career.

• The Zias assisted on 19 baskets, led by Cassidy Doherty of Melrose with a career-high eight.

• The Zias have outscored the opposition 79-56 in the second half over the last two games.

• The Mocs scored first on a Payne’s layup, 30 seconds into the contest, for their only lead of the game.

• ENMU plays ninth-ranked University of Tampa 11 a.m. (MST) today.