CU starts 2009 with rout of ENMU
January 3, 2009PORTALES, New Mexico (January 3) – A strong second half was more than enough for the Cameron Aggie women’s basketball team (5-5, 0-0 LSC North) who today defeated the Eastern New Mexico Zias (8-7, 0-0 LSC South) on the road, 72-57. The Aggies got back on the winning track with the road victory and won their first game of the spring semester.
With a few games still remaining until the season’s midway point, CU and first-year head coach Tom Webb have already eclipsed Cameron’s four-win total of each of the last two seasons.
CU and ENMU traded leads for much of the first half with the Aggies taking a four-point, 28-24 lead into halftime. The Zias were within one point of the lead early in the second half, but that was the closest they would ever get. Cameron took the second half 44-33 and was up by as many as 17 points.
“Our kids played hard and did a great job on the glass,” Coach Webb said. “We out-rebounded a team that has routinely out-rebounded their opponents. We didn’t have too many tall kids playing but they kept battling and that helped us a ton. We got to the glass and the foul line a lot.”
Cameron gained their first, and ultimately their only, lead of the game on a clutch three-point play by redshirt freshman guard Gabby Walk at the 9:24 mark in the first half. Walk stole the ball from ENMU’s Vanessa O’Neal and led a fast-break down the court, laid the ball in, drew the foul, and made her free throw. The play put CU up for good.
The Aggies outplayed the Zias in most categories today, recording a 43.6% shooting percentage with 43 rebounds compared to ENMU’s 31.3% shooting percentage and 39 rebounds. CU committed fewer fouls, 17-13, and recorded more steals, 6-4. Four Aggies scored in double-digits.
“The win today is a credit to our long (holiday) break,” Coach Webb said. “With Megan (Atkins) and Caeti (Radley) both out with injuries, our remaining players battled hard and grew as a team. They shot the ball with confidence today and showed that our hard work is paying off.”
Leading Cameron offensively today was junior guard Tera Tremayne who lit it up from long range for a game-high 23 points. Tremayne went 8-12 from the field including a blistering 5-6 from three-point range. She also recorded 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and an assist in game-high 39 minutes of play.
Sophomore guard Constance “C.C.” Rundles had an absolutely phenomenal game as she recorded a points-rebounds double-double in a mere 28 minutes on the floor. She finished with 13 points on 4-10 shooting, including a perfect 4-4 from the foul line, 10 rebounds, and a pair of assists.
“It was good for Tera to break out. She has worked hard with (Assistant) Coach (Steve) Lowe over the break and is shooting the ball well,” Coach Webb said. “C.C. also had a great game and we are very pleased with that. As a whole our team did a great job today.”
Finishing with the team-, and game-, high in rebounds was junior post player Amber Schroer who recorded 11 boards. Schroer also contributed 8 points on 3-11 shooting, a block, and an assist in 29 minutes of play.
Cameron stays on the road to complete the ENMU-WTAMU “loop” this Monday evening when they take on the West Texas A&M Lady Buffs at 6:00pm in Canyon, Texas. CU’s next home game is next Thursday (January 8) when they host the Midwestern State Mustangs at 1:00pm in the Aggie Gym.
