THE RUNDOWN
PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico entered Thursday's matchup boasting the best defense in the Lone Star Conference. The Greyhounds (5-1, 1-0 LSC) asserted their will on the defensive end, holding Midwestern State (1-4, 0-1 LSC) to a 35.9 percent shooting night as the Mustangs suffered their fourth loss in five games in an 80-64 loss at Greyhound Arena in Portales.
 
The Greyhounds mounted a 25-4 run in the second quarter to take a commanding 46-19 lead at the break before coasting to the win in the second half.
 
The Maroon and Gold shot just 25.9 percent (7-of-27) from the floor while the Greyhounds shot a blistering 53.9 percent (17-of-32). ENMU converted 12 MSU Texas turnovers into 16 points before the intermission.
 
Shots began to fall for the Mustangs in the fourth quarter. MSU Texas shot 52.6 percent in the game's final stanza to close the gap to 16, but the lead proved to be insurmountable.
 
Five players scored in double figures for ENMU. Treyanna Clay (15), Zamorye Cox (14), Jenna Mehlbrech (12), Chelsea Hunter (12) and Alivia Lewis (11) poured in points for the Hounds with Lewis finishing with a double-double, pulling down 13 boards.
 
Sophomore Hannah Reynolds powered the Mustangs offensively with 13 points. Sophomore Kityana Diaz turned in 11 points and a team-high six rebounds on 5-of-10 shooting. Juniors Erin Alexander and Liz Cathcart both added 10 points for the Maroon and Gold.
 
GAME NOTES
- Midwestern State (1-4) is off to its worst start since opening the 2015-16 season 1-11
- MSU Texas remains winless in Portales in its last four tries, dating back to the 2015 season
- ENMU scored 21 points off 16 turnovers by the Mustangs while adding 18 on the fast break
- Junior Erin Alexander scored in double-figures for the second-straight game, dropping 10 points and grabbing five rebounds
- Junior Liz Cathcart grabbed a season-high five rebounds
- Sophomore Kityana Diaz shot 50 percent from the field for the third time this season, going 5-of-10 with 11 points
- Sophomore Hannah Reynolds scored 13 points, matching her season-high. The Prosper native has scored in double-figures in four of five outings this season
 
UP NEXT
MSU Texas travels to fifth-ranked West Texas A&M on Saturday, Dec. 1. Tipoff at the First United Bank Center is slated for 2 p.m. in Canyon.