PORTALES, NEW MEXICO – The Texas A&M-Kingsville women’s basketball team had a chance to clinch a Lone Star Conference playoff berth for the second game in a row with a win, but could not come up with the elusive victory at LSC South rival Eastern New Mexico on Saturday. The Zias jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as they won 75-61.
 (box score)
For the Javelinas (18-9, 6-6) it was the same old story as they came out slowly and never recovered. They have lost four of their last five games to close out the regular season. Turnovers and free throw shooting were to blame at Eastern New Mexico. They committed 19 turnovers and were outscored 28-3 in points off turnovers. They were also outscored by 18 points at the foul line as they made only 3-of-10 attempts.

In the second half, the Javelinas mounted a rally that saw them close to within 52-45 after a jumper by Ursula Hill (Cypress/Cy-Fair HS) with 8:33 remaining. Unfortunately, the Zias (8-19, 3-9) responded with a 7-0 run that basically put the game away.

The Javelinas will now have to wait to find out if they will advance to the LSC Playoffs. If Tarleton State defeats Angelo State, then the team is in, but if ASU knocks off TSU then the Hoggies are out.

The Javelinas shot 40 percent from the field, made 10-of-27 three-point attempts and were 3-for-10 at the foul line. They pulled down one more rebound than the Zias but committed eight more turnovers. Felicia Soza (Beeville/A.C. Jones HS) was the only player to score in double figures as she finished with 17 points.

The Zias shot 44.2 percent from the field, made 8-of-14 three-point attempts and were 21-for-26 at the foul line. Til-Lois Fifer had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Both Cat Clay and Vanessa O’Neal scored 16 points while Tori Northcutt had 11 points and eight assists.

Javelina 1,000-point scorers
1. Lorie Martinez (1997-01) – 1,781
2. Kay Goodwin (1980-84) – 1,678
3. Karen Weiss (1988-92) – 1,566
4. Angela Trotter (2003-07) – 1,336
5. Kristin Ciborowski (1993-97) – 1,295
6. Arie Wilson (2000-03) – 1,282
7. Janice Williams (1984-88) – 1,168
8. Karen Demerson (1984-88) – 1,096
9. Kelly Armbruster (1986-89) – 1,075
10. Sandra Jimenez (1975-78) – 1,073
11. Sheryl Campbell (1980-83) – 1,062
12. Felicia Soza (2006-10) – 1,058
13. Precious Thibodeaux (1999-01) – 1,024
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