|
TWU
Home > Student
Life > Athletics > Basketball > Jan. 27
ZIAS HIT SHOTS, DEFEAT PIONEERS
DENTON , Texas – Eastern New Mexico spoiled Texas Woman’s return to Magee Arena by knocking down open shots to defeat the Pioneers, 62-57, in Lone Star Conference action.
TWU (9-8, 2-3) has been on the road since Dec. 15. The Pioneers have dropped five of their last nine games.
“We let them get ahead in the first half which gave them confidence. That is the last thing we wanted to do,” said head coach Devin Gabbard. “So we spotted them 10 points in the first half and didn’t play any defense. It just doesn’t make sense. The defensive effort and our shooting percentage cost us the game.”
The Zias started the game by draining a three from the top of the key. The Pioneers went almost four minutes without scoring as ENMU built a 13-point lead. TWU cut into the deficit to trail 24-34 at intermission.
The Pioneers started the second half by hitting their only three-pointers of the game to spark the offense. First, Adriana Martin hit a three from the wing off a behind-the-back assist from Matalya McBath. Ashley Browning followed with another three that McBath orchestrated. Martin hit another jumper to tie the game, 39-39, with 15:12 remaining. Browning added an old fashioned three-point play and McBath hit two free throws to put TWU up by three. The Zias took control of the game after that hitting every open look the Pioneers gave them.
TWU shot 32.3 percent from the field (20 of 62) and 12.5 from behind the arc (2 of 16). ENMU hit 43.6 percent (24 of 55) and 50 percent (6 of 12).
“Up to this point we have taken bad shots. Tonight we just struggled from the field. Our shooters, Ashley, Matalya, Mandy (Darwin) and Lindsey (McCutcheon), need to finish,” added Gabbard. “We need to make open shots. There are going to be nights where the offensive struggles but the defensive has to turn it up a notch.”
Browning and Darwin each had 14 points to pace the offense. McBath added 10 points, five assists and five steals. Whitney Bracey came off the bench to lead the team in rebounds with 10.
“Whitney has played very well the last two games. I am thrilled by how she controlled the boards tonight,” stated Gabbard.
Next, the Pioneers play West Texas A&M on Jan. 29 beginning at 3:00 p.m.
|
