PORATLES, N.M. – Tarleton women's basketball dropped its first Lone Star Conference game of the season, 73-68, to Eastern New Mexico on Saturday at Greyhound Arena.
 
Mackenzie Hailey poured in a career-high 26 points and Ikpeaku Iwobi added 16 points as the two starting forwards were the only double-digit scorers for the TexAnns, who shot 38 percent in the game.
 
"This was a tough game," said head coach Misty Wilson. "I thought it was very physical at times and it was a really hard game to adjust to. You can't take anything for granted on the road. Eastern New Mexico is playing really well. Our girls fought hard. The effort was there. We just didn't quite have the physical energy to finish it."
 
Hailey scored eight of the first 10 points for Tarleton (4-5, 3-1) in the first quarter as the TexAnns built a 12-8 lead. Tiara Tatum's bucket with 49 seconds left in the quarter gave the TexAnns a 14-12 lead after the first frame.
 
Ikpeaku Iwobi got the hot hand in the second quarter, scoring 14 of the team's 18 points. Iwobi gave Tarleton its biggest lead of the game at 21-12 with a fast-break layup. Iwobi would score 14 straight points over a 6-minute stretch for the TexAnns. Tarleton led 32-30 at the break and shot 43 percent while holding the Greyhounds to 40 percent and 13 turnovers.
 
ENMU took a 33-32 lead at the start of the third quarter, but Bailey Wipff and Hailey drilled back-to-back 3-pointers for a 38-33 lead. Hailey had a scoring streak of her own in the third quarter, putting up 11 straight points over a 7-minute stretch for the TexAnns. Travanti Downes ended the third quarter with a buzzer-beating jumper in the paint for a 48-44 lead.
 
The TexAnns and Greyhounds would stay within three points until the 3:24 mark when the teams were tied at 60-60 and the Greyhounds went on a 7-0 run to lead 67-60 with 1:51 to go. Tarleton go to within 70-66, but ENMU connected at the free-throw line in the final minute to take the win. Eastern New Mexico outscored Tarleton 29-20 in the fourth quarter to come away with the victory.
 
"(Despite the outcome tonight), it was a good road trip for us," said Wilson. "Winning one out of two is certainly better than (losing both games). We'll learn from this one, head home, and work hard to get better."
 
Behind the combined 42 points from Hailey and Iwobi, Tarleton got eight points off the bench from Travanti Downes. Bailey Wipff (7), Baylee Peck (5), Tiara Tatum (3), and Kylie Collins (3) rounded out the scoring for the TexAnns.
 
The TexAnns will return home to take on the defending Division II National Champions in Lubbock Christian on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 5:30 p.m.