Box Score (PDF)

THE RUNDOWN
PORTALES, N.M. – Lone Star Conference leader Eastern New Mexico used a 20-4 run to close out the first quarter and take the lead for good in a 78-64 victory over Midwestern State Saturday afternoon at Greyhound Arena.
 
Midwestern State (4-10, 1-7 LSC) overcame an early five-point deficit following a three-pointer for Whitney Taylor and a jumper for Jasmine Richardson to even the contest at 9-all with 5:59 to play in the opening period. However, Eastern New Mexico (12-3, 8-0 LSC) limited the Mustangs to just four points the remainder of the period as Kassandra Harris and Brandi Gomez combined for 11 of ENMU's 20 points in the final six minutes to take a 29-13 advantage after the first quarter.
 
The Greyhounds continued to hold a sizeable lead throughout the second period, taking their largest lead of the game at 21 points before recording a 45-29 lead at the break.
 
The Mustangs outscored ENMU in the third period with Richardson scoring eight points in the frame to help MSU pull within 12 at 58-46 heading into the final period.
 
A 5-0 run to begin the fourth helped the Greyhounds stretch their lead back out to 17 before a Taylor triple helped spark an 8-0 MSU run midway through the quarter to bring the Mustangs within 10 with 4:42 remaining. However, Midwestern was unable to come within single digits down the stretch as the Greyhounds remained perfect in league play with the 78-64 win.

NOTES
- Micheline Mercelita led the Mustangs in scoring for the first time this season with her fourth double-figure scoring performance with 14 points off the bench
- Jasmine Richardson added a career-high 13 points, her first double-digit outing this season on 5-of-7 shooting
- Avery Queen also chipped in 13 points for MSU, notching double figures for the third-straight game
- Whitney Taylor reached double digits for the sixth-straight game and 11th time this season with 10 points and a team-high five boards
- The Mustangs placed four players in double figures for just the third time this season (Adams State, UT Permian Basin)
- Eastern New Mexico shot 44.4 percent from the floor while Midwestern State finished with a 38.9 percentage
- The Mustangs matched a season-low three triples, shooting just 3-of-15 from behind the arc, while the Greyhounds were 8-of-19 from long range
- The Greyhounds held a 12-2 advantage in second chance points with a 35-28 rebounding edge
- Kassandra Harris and Mikaehla Connor each netted a team-best 15 points for ENMU while Johna McClelland added 14 and Brandi Gomez had 11

STAT OF THE GAME
3 – Midwestern State was held to a season low three three-pointers

UP NEXT 
Midwestern State returns to D.L. Ligon Coliseum Tuesday for a midweek LSC battle against Cameron in the Red River Rivalry. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.