PORTALES, N.M. (January 16, 2020) – Zamorye Cox was able to scoop up a loose ball during a rebound scramble and muscle it up for a successful shot attempt with eight seconds remaining in overtime to help Eastern New Mexico upset No.1 Lubbock Christian University 69-68 in a Lone Star Conference divisional contest inside Greyhound Arena Thursday night. The loss snapped a 25-game win streak for the Lady Chaps and it marked their first loss of the season (14-1).
 
Cox's shot to win the game capped a 29-point performance. It also helped complete a late comeback, as the Greyhounds overcame a 68-65 deficit with 2:28 remaining. Natalie Stice hit a runner with 1:37 remaining to pull ENMU within a point (68-67), but was unable to connect on a three-pointer following an LCU turnover, leading to LCU obtaining the ball with 43 seconds remaining. LCU's Maddi Chitsey missed a three-pointer with 23 seconds left and it led to the final heroics by the Greyhounds. A three pointer with 10 seconds left was missed by ENMU, and just when it appeared a jump-ball whistle would occur, Cox came out of the scrum with a shot that made its way in.  LCU had a final possession, but an off-balanced shot attempt by Chitsey would not fall.
 
It would have been a devastating blow to ENMU if Chitsey's shot would have been good. ENMU led for 37:14 of the game (LCU led 4:23). The Greyhounds had 10 offensive rebounds in the opening quarter, leading to a 10-0 scoring advantage in the quarter in second-chance scoring. ENMU led 21-14 after the opening quarter and juiced the lead to 13 points with 5:23 remaining in the second quarter (LCU's largest deficit this season). LCU shot 69.2% (9-of-13) in the second quarter and a 9-of-10 shooting stretch to close the half led to an 11-0 run and LCU eventually trailed ENMU 35-34 at the half.
 
ENMU pushed the lead back to six points twice in the third quarter, but Ashton Duncan and Madelyn Turner each hit three-pointers in the final 41 seconds of the quarter (Turner's three came at the buzzer) and LCU tied the game 50-50 at the quarter's close. Two minutes into the fourth quarter Emma Middleton hit a jumper to give LCU their first lead of the game (52-51). A 4-1 ENMU run placed the Greyhounds with their largest lead of the quarter. LCU's final five points in regulation were recorded at the free-throw line, including a pair by Chitsey to tie the game at 63-63. Stice had an open look from long range to end the game at the regulation buzzer, but her attempt rimmed out.
 
Chitsey recorded the first double-double by a Lady Chap this season. She had 18 points and 12 rebounds. She also co-led the team with four assists. Middleton was 7-of-10 from the field and finished with a career-high 16 points. Caitlyn Cunyus had 10 points for LCU and all 10 came after the half.
 
LCU fell despite a 44.6% (25/56) to 34.2% (26/76) advantage from the field. LCU produced 16 turnovers, while forcing eight. It led to a 15-0 scoring advantage in points-off-turnovers for ENMU, marking the first time since joining NCAA Division II in which LCU did not have any points off turnovers. LCU was also outscored 17-2 in second chance scoring after surrendering 18 offensive rebounds (high offensive rebound total by an LCU opponent since Texas A&M-Commerce had 18 on Nov. 12, 2018.
 
ENMU had a double-double from Alivia Lewis, who posted 18 rebounds and 16 points. Cox was 12-of-23 from the field and drew eight fouls in her favor. She also had four steals.
 
ENMU improved to 11-4 overall, 5-4 in conference and 2-3 in division play. They improved to 16-4 against LCU inside Greyhound Arena all-time. LCU fell to 8-1 in LSC play and 4-1 in division play. The game was their second overtime contest of the season.
 
TURNING POINT
Emma Middleton had seven of her career-high 16 points registered in the fourth quarter. LCU was held to four field goals in the quarter and Middleton had three of them, including the one to give LCU their first lead and one which tied the game up 58-58 with 4:36 left. Her play in the quarter gave LCU life, as their 52-51 lead off her first field goal was LCU's only lead during the regulation period.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
The 16 LCU turnovers and ENMU's 18 offensive rebounds led to ENMU producing 20 more field goal attempts than LCU (76-56). The last time an opponent had that many more field goal attempts in a game was ironically on Dec. 30, 2017, which was LCU's prior visit to Portales, as the ENMU had a 67-45 advantage in field goal attempts.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Awaiting LCU is a trip to Canyon, Texas Saturday for a 2 p.m. tip at West Texas A&M. It will be LCU's first visit to Canyon since Nov. 16, 2001.