LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State women's basketball hosted UT Permian Basin in the team's second game of the 2017-18 season at the Pan American Center on Tuesday night. After going on a 16-0 run early in the first quarter, the team kept its foot on the gas to cruise to an 85-58 victory over the Falcons.
 
The Aggies grabbed their first win of the season and first of head coach Brooke Atkinson's career. After the big win Atkinson said, "I'm just happy we won. The kids played well and executed our game plan tonight. I'm pleased with what they did overall."
 
After UTPB (0-3) opened the contest with the first basket of the night, NM State (1-1) proceeded to take over and go on a 16-0 run to lead the Falcons 16-3 at the 4:22 mark of the opening quarter. This run led the team to a 28-11 lead after 10 minutes of action.
 
UTPB again began the scoring of the next quarter and even went on a 13-6 run to close in on the Aggies lead. However, following a stoppage of play Dominique Mills came out and knocked down a basket and momentum swung in favor of NM State. This allowed the team to close out the first half ahead 47-26.
 
Heading to the locker room, Aggie play was led by Gia Pack who put up a team-leading 14 points and six rebounds, while Monique Mills followed with 11 points of her own.
 
When the second half got underway, NM State did not slow down offensively with three straight early baskets to widen the teams lead. Following a media timeout, the Aggies continued to pressure the Falcons on both ends of the floor.
 
At the end of the third, NM State had forced six steals to go along with three blocks. Heading to the fourth quarter, the Aggies held a commanding 66-37 lead.
 
A back-and-forth final quarter of play saw the Falcons outscore the Aggies 21-19, but that was not enough as NM State took down UT Permian Basin, 85-58.
 
At night's end, Pack led the Aggies with 18 points and seven rebounds, followed by Monique Mills with 15 points and Dominique Mills added 11. Defensively, the Aggies forced 20 turnovers a team total which had not been posted since Jan. 21, 2017 against UMKC.
 
New Mexico State women's basketball now gets set to travel to Albuquerque, N.M. and take on Battle of I-25 rival New Mexico this Saturday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m. MT.