Box Score CLOVIS, N.M. – Senior
Stephanie Afunugo matched her career-high with 26 points to lead No. 24 Wayland Baptist to a 73-54 win over Eastern New Mexico University at Rock Staubus Gym here Saturday night.
Wayland (5-3) scored the game's first nine points and never gave up the lead, although ENMU (4-3) did make several runs at the Flying Queens. WBU was up 15-4 but ENMU cut that 11-point spread to five, 17-12 by the end of the first period.
The Greyhounds (4-3) closed to within two, 21-19, before Wayland responded with a 16-1 run, leading the way to a 39-23 halftime lead.
The Hounds made a few more pushes, the last coming early in the fourth when Wayland's lead was cut to eight, 56-48. But
Maci Merket nailed a 3-pointer, then later after ENMU got within eight, Wayland salted it away at the free-throw line. Down the stretch, Afunugo went 8-for-8 and
Shawna Monreal added a pair of free throws whlie
Jade Jones hit a lay-up to finish off 12 unanswered points for Wayland that put it away.
Afunugo made 7-of-14 field goals and missed just one of her 13 free throws, leading Wayland's 20-of-23 performance from the stripe. She also pulled down nine rebounds, had two steals, two assists and a block. Afunugo also scored 26 points late last season against Mid-America Christian when she was 12-of-12 from the free-throw line.
Shawna Monreal added 12 points and Jones 10, along with eight rebounds.
The Queens, after shooting 57 percent from the field in the first half when the Greyhounds managed just 26 percent, ended at 46 percent, including 3-of-13 from 3-point range. They outrebounded ENMU 39-34, and overcame 24 turnovers.
The Greyhounds, who finished 31 percent from the field including just 2-of-16 (13 percent) from beyond the arc, got 16 points from Kassandra Harris and 10 points and 10 rebounds from Sarah Stinnett.
The Queens, who slipped to 24
th this week after being ranked No. 10 in the preseason poll, continue their six-game road swing with three games next week, starting Dec. 15 in Denton against Texas Woman's. They then take on McMurry in Abilene on Dec. 18 then Angelo State a day later in San Angelo.
WBU's next home game is Jan. 7 when the Flying Queens return to conference play against St. Gregory's.
