Ice-cold Zias fall to TWU

It's hard to win a game shooting less than 30 percent.

Texas Woman's accomplished that feat on Saturday, shooting just under that figure (29.8 percent) but having to hold on late to beat Eastern New Mexico University 46-40 in Lone Star Conference women's basketball at Greyhound Arena.

Joshua Lucero: PNT correspondent

ENMU senior Tara Johnson scores a basket over Texas Woman's Rebekah Cluley during the second half of Saturday's Lone Star Conference women's basketball game at Greyhound Arena. Johnson had a team-high 10 points in the Zias' 46-40 loss.

The Pioneers (4-8, 2-4 LSC) got off to an early lead, built it to 16 points with about 13 1/2 minutes left and then hung on in the closing seconds as the Zias (2-11, 1-4) got within three points in the final minute.

Junior guard Rebekah Cluley, who posted a double-double with game highs of 12 points and 10 rebounds, made two free throws with 14 seconds left after rebounding her own miss inside and getting fouled.

"I was proud of our players on defense because they were able to grind it out," TWU coach Beth Jillson said. "They were coming off a great win over Midwestern (State, on Monday), and I felt like we did a great job of containing their drive. They (Zias) made a great run at the end, but I felt like we let our intensity down."

ENMU labored through the first half, making just 4-of-25 shots and committing 12 turnovers, but still trailed by only eight points. The Pioneers opened their biggest lead at 33-17 on a 3-pointer by Cluley with 13:27 left, capping a 12-2 run.

ENMU had season highs of 66 and 70 points in winning its last two games, but struggled again in this one to get anything going on a consistent basis. For the game, the Zias shot 27 percent (15-of-55).

"We beat ourselves in this game," Zias coach Lindsey Wilson said. "We missed 24 shot sin the paint, and you can't win games missing that many shots."

ENMU fell behind 4-0 and 9-3, then tied the game 9-9 on two free throws by Nelsha Peterson with 9:09 left in the half. The Pioneers held ENMU to four points the rest of the half.

Wilson said the Pioneers contributed to the Zias woes with good defense.

"We had to work for every shot," she said. "Midwestern was playing at a faster pace, but you can't win basketball games when you don't put the ball in the (basket)."

Sophomore forward Ria Pateraki of Greece, one of two international players on the TWU roster, added 10 points for the Pioneers off the bench.

TWU, shooting 19 percent for the season, hit 5-of-21 from long range in this one.

"I think we're capable," Jillson said. "We just haven't shot very well (from distance) this year.

"I was proud of our team; we only had a one-day turnaround (after losing Thursday at West Texas A&M). We've just got to do a better job of executing at the and, and just being confident."

Freshman guard Jaylyn Cooper of Texico added nine points and a team-high six rebounds for the Zias. Sophomore guard Lakeeyscia Griffin had six of ENMU's eight assists.

Joishua Lucero: PNT correspondent

ENMU sophomore point guard Lakeeyscia Griffin drives past Texas Woman's University junior Rebekah Cluley in the final seconds of Saturday's Lone Star Conference women's basketball game at Greyhound Arena. The Zias couldn't overcome a slow start and dropped a 46-40 decision to the Pioneers.