LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Zaire Williams led the way for NM State on Monday at the Pan American Center with a season-high 17 points as the Aggies cruised to a 68-39 victory over Western New Mexico in their final non-conference game of the year.
 
NM State concluded the non-conference slate with an 11-3 record as Western Athletic Conference play is set to begin on Thursday. This is the best start for the Aggies since the 1993-94 season when they went 14-3 before getting their fourth loss.
 
Williams netted eight of 17 points in the first quarter when she connected on back-to-back 3-pointers and followed up with a layup. Brooke Salas, who finished with 13 points and seven boards, bookended the quarter to give NM State the 17-8 advantage.
 
A 9-2 run to end the first half saw the Aggies double-up on the Lady Mustangs, 36-18. Tyesha Taylor brought down nine of her career-high 15 boards in the first half alone as NM State held a 28-15 advantage on the glass at the intermission.
 
Moriah Mack opened up the second half for NM State with a jumper and 3-pointer as the Aggies began to extend its lead over WNMU (5-8, 3-4 RMAC). The junior guard finished with a season-high 12 points.
 
Western New Mexico went on an 8-0 run mid-way through the third quarter, but the Aggies responded with a 10-3 run to take the 55-30 lead into the final 10 minutes of play.
 
Emily Hardin's jumper from three-point land gave NM State its largest lead, 60-30, at the 7:07 mark in the fourth frame. The Aggies tied it two more times before the clock hit zero in favor of NM State, 68-39.
 
POSTGAME NOTES:  The win tonight made it 11-straight for NM State over Western New Mexico and 10-0 when playing at the Pan Am Center…NM State is now 8-2 when winning the tip and 6-2 when scoring the first points of the game…The Aggies are also 8-1 when they have more assists than their opponents and 10-0 when they have more steals…NM State is also 8-1 when wearing their home white jerseys…This is the second time this season NM State has won by 20-plus points…Tyler Ellis (12) was one rebound shy of tying her career-high (13)…Salas' seven rebounds was also one shy of her season-high…Her three assists, however, was a new season-high for the freshman…Williams' seven rebounds tied her career-high that she set last season against Weber State (Nov. 28, 2014)…Hardin's nine points tied her season-high (NAU), while her four assists was a new career-high…NM State finished with a 57-35 edge on the glass, just the second time the Aggies have grabbed 50-plus rebounds in a game this season.