KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – The Eastern New Mexico women’s basketball team hit nearly 50 percent of their field goal attempts on Wednesday night as they rolled past Texas A&M-Kingsville, 75-61 at Kingsville Hampton Inn Court. (box score)

The Lone Star Conference South Division match up saw both teams bomb away from three-point range, but it was on the inside where the Zias (5-20, 3-11) dominated. Precious Herrin scored a game high 24 points on a variety of turn around jumpers and put backs to lead the way.

In the first half, the Javelinas (3-22, 1-12) tied the game at 19-19 with 7:55 to play after a three-pointer by Novella Thomas (Corpus Christi/West Oso HS). Unfortunately, the Zias caught fire from three-point range as Cat Clay hit four in as many minutes to give the team a 37-31 lead heading into halftime.

In the second half, Clay continued her long-range excellence as she hit her first three trifectas. She would finish the night 7-of-12 from three-point range and score 23 points. The Zia lead went to as many as 19 points in the half and the Hoggies were unable to get any closer than 14 points over the final nine minutes of the game.

The Javelinas shot 35.7 percent from the field, made 12-of-33 three-point attempts and were 9-for-14 at the foul line. Kelly Bastow (Bunbury, Australia/Bunbury Catholic HS) led the team with 16 points as she went 5-of-9 from three-point range. Chelsea Solis (San Antonio/Wagner HS) added 13 points while knocking down four three-pointers. Thomas finished with 11 points and six rebounds. The team grabbed 32 rebounds and committed 16 turnovers.

The Zias shot 49.2 percent from the field, made 9-of-17 three-point attempts and were 6-of-8 from the foul line. Herrin finished with 24 points on 11-of-19 shooting from the field, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked three shots. Clay added 23 points and four assists. Vanessa O’Neal scored 11 points, grabbed seven rebounds dished out three assists. Karen Grant led all players with seven assists in the game. The Zias had 39 rebounds and committed 13 turnovers.

The Javelinas will close out the season on Saturday when they travel to Incarnate Word for a 2 p.m. tip-off.
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