ENMU women top UTPB

PORTALES – Since coming back from a back injury early in the season, Eastern New Mexico University senior forward Edecia Beck had played well enough off the bench to be the team's second-leading scorer.

Thrust into the starting lineup for the first time on Friday night, she posted a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds as the Greyhounds rallied in the final quarter for a hard-fought 65-60 Lone Star Conference win over Texas-Permian Basin at Greyhound Arena.

ENMU (6-4, 3-2 LSC) came in just 2-3 at home so far this season but did enough, especially late, to secure the victory.

"We've played some tough teams at home," ENMU women's coach Meghan De los Reyes said. "We played two top 25 teams (Eckard and Texas Woman's) and took them both to the wire."

Beck, averaging 11 points through seven games coming in, and freshman guard Marley Freeman got their first starts for the Greyhounds. De los Reyes said some of it had to do with travel complications for some players trying to get back from the short holiday break and not everyone being able to work on the 1-3-1 zone defense thrown up by the Falcons (6-6, 3-3).

Averaging 17 minutes coming in, Beck played more than 33 minutes in this one.

"I'm coming from two Division Is (Ohio and Wright State), and I started there," she said. "I've been trying to prove myself, and I took this opportunity."

Still, it was a struggle most of the night for the Hounds. They trailed most of the way and never led by more than a point until going on a 10-0 run to start the final stanza for a 54-46 advantage.

ENMU held Permian Basin scoreless for just over seven minutes in that stretch and never relinquished the lead. Sophomore guard Bella Stone, who played all 40 minutes, and junior guard-forward Deja Adrian combined to hit 3-of-4 free throws in the final 15 seconds to salt it away.

"Our main thing is we stayed together," said Beck, who was 4-for-4 from the line and has missed only one attempt all season. "That's why we pulled it out. If we focus on what we need to do, we'll get the results we want."

Junior guard Ashley Shipley struggled with her shooting much of the game, but hit the go-ahead 3-pointer to start the final stanza and finished with 14 points and eight rebounds in more than 37 minutes. Stone had 12 points and a team-leading four assists.

"She had a tough night, but she's a great shooter and had great shots," De los Reyes said of Shipley, who is from Tucumcari. "I know Bella's line tonight may not be that impressive, but she did a fantastic job of executing our offense."

UTPB junior forward Alexus Quaadman also posted a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Others scoring in double figures for the Falcons were sophomore guards Avalon Munoz and Kamari Portalis with 11 points apiece.

ENMU returns to action at 1 p.m. today when it hosts Angelo State at Greyhound Arena.