LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State women's basketball team (18-6, 10-0), currently holding an 11-game win streak, looks to close out their home schedule on a high note against Western Athletic Conference opponent - the UTRGV Vaqueros (16-10, 6-4).
 
On Saturday, Feb. 18, at 2:00 p.m. MT, the Aggies take on the Vaqueros in the team's final home game of the season.
 
WHERE TO CATCH THE ACTION
Watch on ESPN3 with Adam Young on the play-by-play and former coach Joan Bonvicini as the color analyst.
Live Stats
 
GET CONNECTED
To stay connected with the women's basketball team and catch all of the up-to-date information and breaking news, follow the Aggies on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, @NMStateWBB.
 
GAMEDAY PROMOTIONS
Saturday's contest is the final home game of the 2016-17 season for the NM State women's basketball team. The matchup is a special one for the seniors on the team as Senior Night will commemorate a great four years for the five NM State seniors who will be competing in the final home game of their Aggie careers. The day will also feature Pack the Pan Am.
 
PACK THE PAN AM
The final home game for NM State against the UTRGV Vaqueros on Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. MT. will feature our Pack the Pan Am event in which fans are encouraged to come out and support the Aggies by filling the Pan Am to the brim. All tickets for the event will be sold at $6. To get your tickets in advance, call the Pan American Center ticket office at 575-646-1420.
 
SENIOR NIGHT
With Saturday being the final home game of the season, New Mexico State will honor the five players taking part in their final game on the Pan Am floor with a Senior Night honor. The five seniors on the team are Tyler Ellis, Brianna Freeman, Moriah Mack, Brandee Walton and Tamera William.
 
Tyler Ellis has come on strong lately for the Aggies. During last weekend's game against Grand Canyon, the forward set a career high in points with 16 against the Lopes. Ellis has also played a role in establishing a presence in the paint for the Aggies, the 6'2 senior averages over 5 rebounds per game. The Antelope, California native is playing in her 101st game in the crimson and white tonight.
 
Brianna Freeman has collected numerous accolades in a New Mexico State uniform. Freeman was named the WAC Player of the Year and WAC Tournament Most Valuable Player in 2013-14 in addition to helping lead the Aggies to back-to-back conference titles the past two seasons. The three-time WAC Player of the Week was named to Preseason First-Team All WAC by the leagues' coaches this offseason. Freeman was 21st Aggie to join the 1,000 point club when scored in the first quarter of the January 7th game against Chicago State. For her career, Freeman has played in 112 games in the Crimson and White and is averaging 9.4 points per game and 6.0 rebounds per contest.
 
Moriah Mack has been a staple in the Aggie lineup for the past three years helping lead the team to back-to-back WAC Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. Mack was named to the All-WAC Preseason first-team this year. Moriah has backed up the preseason honor by averaging 12.6 points per game and 4 rebounds. Moriah has been on a tear in WAC play, setting her season high in points (20) against UMKC and matching her career high in steals with 5 against Grand Canyon in Phoenix. Mack became the 22nd Aggie to join the 1,000 point club scoring late in New Mexico State's 63-46 win over Utah Valley.
 
Brandee Walton has played a critical role in helping lead the Aggies to two consecutive WAC Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. She set her career high in points against mid-major power Boise State in 2013 and had a career high nine rebounds this December against Western New Mexico. Her leadership qualities are a huge asset to the team and the athletic department. In her spare time, Brandee serves as the President of the student-athlete advisory council.
 
 
Tamera William has shined bright in the biggest moments for the Aggies. The member of the two-time Western Athletic Conference champs scored a career high 23 points against rival UNM this season including a buzzer beating half-court shot. William set her career high with 15 rebounds against the Aggies I-10 foe UTEP on December 15th in El Paso. This season she has started and played in 23 games and is averaging 11 points per game, 6.3 rebounds and 2.5 steals.
 
 
SCOUTING THE VAQUEROS
The UTRGV Vaqueros enter the Pan Am on Saturday sitting at 16-10 overall and 6-4 in WAC play. The most recent contest for the Vaqueros saw the team drops a 67-61 decision at home to CSU Bakersfield.
 
The opponent is led by Shawnte' Goff who was chosen as the WAC Preseason Player of the Year. Goff currently averages 15.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists. Another Vaquero averaging double-digits scoring is Mary Savoy with 11.0 points, to go along with 7.0 rebounds and a team-leading 37 blocks.
 
As a team, UTRGV averages 63.7 points, while giving up 61.7 per game. The team puts up lower numbers than their opponents in most categories (assists, rebounds, field goal percentage), but defensively the team succeeds as they are currently tied with the Aggies for a WAC leading 10.0 steals per game.
 
The Vaqueros play their best basketball, outscoring their opponents, in the second (407-373) and fourth (446-417) quarters. NM State looks to shut down the opponent and limit their strengths on both ends of the floor to take home the victory.
 
NM State and UTRGV will be facing off for the 14th time in program history. The Aggies currently hold a 11-2 series edge and won the last meeting over the Vaqueros, 80-53, on March 12, 2016 in the WAC Tournament Championship game.
 
THE LEADER OF THE WAC
NM State has dominated in Western Athletic Conference competition as the team is 40-2 in their last 40 conference meetings, including tournament play, with a perfect 10-0 in WAC play this season as the team holds a two-game lead over second place Seattle U. New Mexico State women's basketball also proves to be ahead of the WAC competition as they rank in the top-three in 20 of the 21 recorded team statistical categories.
 
The team's play is featured by leading the conference in nine fields over 24 games, including scoring offense (69.7 PPG), scoring defense (58.9 PPG), scoring margin (+10.8), field goal percentage (.418 FG pct.), three-point field goal percentage (.338 3FG pct.), three-point field goal defense (.286 3FG pct.), rebounding margin (+2.9), steals (10.0 SPG) and turnover margin (+4.3).
 
MOVIN' ON UP
New Mexico State has made their biggest leap in this year's rankings on Monday. College Insider came up with their weekly Mid Major Top-25 poll and the Aggies moved all the way up to number 14 after spending most of the season around the 19 and 20 spot.
 
LAST TIME OUT FOR THE AGGIES
The last game for NM State saw them continue their winning streak as they took on Grand Canyon University at home on Feb. 12. In a game which saw the Aggies trail until late in the third quarter, four players scoring in double-digits and stifling defense allowed the Aggies to take over late and send the fans home happy with a 67-60 win over the Lopes.
 
WHO'S UP NEXT?
The Aggies next contest following Saturday's home finale will see the team hit the road for a three-game trip to close out the regular season. The first of these three games will put the team in Orem, Utah as they take on the Utah Valley Wolverines on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. MT.