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Western New Mexico University Athletics

Western New Mexico University Athletics
Rachel Francisco
Jay Hemphill, WNMU

Women's Basketball

2020 Home Slate Brings Rival Eastern New Mexico, and West Texas to Drag's Court

Women's Basketball

2020 Home Slate Brings Rival Eastern New Mexico, and West Texas to Drag's Court

Silver City, N.M. – After four games on the road, the Mustangs Women's Basketball return to the friendly confines of Drag's Court in the Tim Brancheau P.E Complex. After going 0-2 last weekend against tough ranked opponents, the women of Western prepare for one of the highly anticipated matches of the season. The Greyhounds of Eastern New Mexico come down to Silver City, Thursday for a rivalry meeting. Then the Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M will face off with the Mustangs Saturday afternoon. Games are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. MST and 2 p.m. MST respectively. 


LAST TIME OUT:
After closing out the year with a 53-43 win over Texas A&M Kingsville, WNMU had the tall task of taking on defending national champions, Lubbock Christian to open up the new year. The Lady Chaps wasted no time making a statement, holding WNMU to just a single basket in the opening frame, while scoring 13 points of their own. Despite making it to double digits in the second, LCU continued to build on their lead, leading by 20 at the half. Out of the locker rooms, the Mustangs looked to pick up their game, keeping it close in both the third and fourth frames but the deficit was too much to overcome as LCU remained unblemished with a 64-40 win.

Looking for redemption, WNMU headed to San Angelo, Texas for their second game of the weekend against the Belles of Angelo State. While the Mustangs took a 17-16 lead out of the gate, and trailed by just three after two, a quiet third gave way to ASU running away with the game. Needing to close the gap, WNMU outscored the Belles 16-14 in the final quarter but fell short of their first win of the season, 69-50.
Against ASU, Kayla Clark (Mesa, Arizona/Dobson High School) contributed 12 points setting a new season high, tying Alicia Mardis (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) as the leading scorers on the afternoon. Clark was 4-6 from the field, 1-1 from three point range and 3-4 at the charity stripe.


THE RIVALRY CONTINUES…--
The series between Eastern New Mexico and Western New Mexico women's basketball dates back to 1977. ENMU leads the overall series 22-6, and holds a 2-0 streak over the Mustangs winning both meetings last season. WNMU held on for a 59-60 back on February 5, 2018 for their sixth win overall win.

Sitting at 9-3 overall, and an even 3-3 in league play, ENMU saw success before the holiday break with victories over Oklahoma Christian and UAFS. Since then the Greyhounds have only played one game against travel partner West Texas A&M in Portales, falling 47-61. Despite the loss, ENMU climbed the regional rankings to the number six spot to tie with Fort Lewis. Six other schools from the LSC appear in the top-10 in the recent D2SIDA South Central Regional Poll.

As a team they average 68.8 points per game, nearly ten more than their opponents hitting a 39.1 shooting clip with 25.2 field goals per game. On the defensive end, ENMU pulls down nearly 45 boards a game. Two Greyhounds are averaging double figures, with junior Alivia Lewis leading the way with 12.3 points per game, while also averaging 8.5 rebounds. Her efforts put her 14th overall in the LSC scoring standings. Teammate Zamorye Cox puts in 11.6 points per game, while also leading the team with 53 assists and 31 steals.

BRING ON THE LADY BUFFS:  
Under fifth year head coach, Kristen Mattio the Lady Buffs have has much success, including last year's LSC championship. Receiving votes in the recent WBCA Division II Top-25 Poll, and fourth in the recent South Central Regional rankings, WT continues to be in the conversation.

Allowing just 50.3 points per game puts WT atop the LSC standings. A team that went 29-4 last season, falling in the second round of regionals, the Lady Buffs return Lexi Hightower from a year ago who also garnered preseason player of the year recognition. Leading the way for the Lady Buffs offense though is junior Abby Spurgin. The Fredericksburg, Texas native sits in double-figures registering 11.3 points and bringing down 5.8 rebounds per contest. Sprugin's 30 blocks are second most on the team, as WT has racked up 89 so far on the season – third best in the country. 

So far this season, WT garners a 12-3 record overall and 5-1 in conference play after a loss to St. Edward's back on Dec.12. 

Historically between these two teams, WT has won every meeting since WNMU joined the LSC in 2016. Having yet to capture a win, the Mustangs smallest margin loss came in 2018 in a 58-46 loss in Canyon, Texas.

Follow along with live stats and video stream at wnmumustangs.com 
 
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Players Mentioned

Kayla Clark

#32 Kayla Clark

F
5' 10"
Senior
Alicia Mardis

#12 Alicia Mardis

F
5' 11"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Kayla Clark

#32 Kayla Clark

5' 10"
Senior
F
Alicia Mardis

#12 Alicia Mardis

5' 11"
Senior
F