CLOVIS, N.M. – On Friday night, Texas A&M International University faced Eastern New Mexico for its third consecutive road game, eventually falling, 70-74, in a relatively close game.

Junior Jessica Prieto led the Dustdevils, scoring a career-high 30 points. Prieto shot 41.6 percent (10-24) from the field, and 42.9 percent (3-7) from the 3-point range. She went 7-for-8 from the free-throw line and totaled five rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block.

Also leading the Dustdevils' charge were junior Keiona Mathews and seniors Alexis Thomas and Stella Ghazarian. Mathews scored 13 points from the field, and recorded four assists and two rebounds. Thomas scored 12 points with six rebounds and an assist. Ghazarian was right behind them with nine points, one rebound, and one assist.

The Dustdevils kept the game in range with in the first half, battling for the lead with five lead changes. With 7:36 to go in the first half, the Zias held their largest lead in the first half with eight points. Prieto led the team in the first half with 15 points, shooting 100 percent from the 3-point range (3-3). TAMIU finished the first half just three points behind of ENMU.

In the second half the Dustdevils battled for the lead, taking the lead with 13 minutes of play remaining – their only lead in the second half. ENMU jumped back in front with its largest lead at nine points with 8:57 left.

TAMIU fought to come back, keeping the game close throughout. TAMIU was down only two points in the final minute, but ENMU made four free throws, to finish off the Dustdevils.

TAMIU's shooting percentage from the field was 39.4 percent and 33.3 percent from the 3-point range.

The Zias dominated the Dustdevils with their free-throw shooting percentages and defensive rebounds. ENMU shot 75 percent from the free throw line and had 37 defensive rebounds, while TAMIU shot 52.6 percent and had 22 defensive rebounds.

The Dustdevils will stay on the road for the remainder of the month, facing West Texas A&M University on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Next week TAMIU will start up Heartland Conference competition and face Lubbock Christian on Dec. 18, and Oklahoma Panhandle State University on Dec. 20.