CHICAGO – The New Mexico State women's basketball team began its final road trip of the regular season starting at Chicago State on Thursday night. Another strong second half, featuring a 14-0 run in the third, led the Aggies to a 63-55 victory.
 
Despite Jasmine Cooper winning the opening tip for NM State (15-11, 9-3 WAC), it was Chicago State (1-26, 1-11 WAC) who struck first scoring and opened the game on a 10-4 run. However, the Aggies were able to bounce back and score the next six points to tie the game up at 10-10 come the first media timeout at the 3:52 mark.
 
The score remained all knotted up at the end of the first quarter with each team scoring 15. Through 10 minutes of action, the Aggies saw most of their production come from the paint where they outscore the Cougars 12-6.
 
When the second quarter opened, NM State was not able to close in on the deficit with Chicago State going on a 14-2 run before the media timeout with 6:17 remaining. The Aggies were able to close out the quarter with a 7-4 scoring edge but still trailed 33-27 at halftime.
 
The third quarter opened in favor of CSU who knocked down three of the first four baskets in the frame, but a resilient NM State squad responded. The Aggies returned the favor with a 14-0 run that culminated in a three-pointer from Brooke Salas to regain the lead for the Aggies 43-40. The teams then traded baskets to end the quarter and NM State led 47-44 heading to the fourth.
 
At the beginning of the fourth, the Aggies continued to mount the offensive pressure, scoring the first seven points, before the Cougars could answer with a three to put the NM State lead at 54-47.
 
CSU was able to cut into the lead built by the Crimson & White, but only substantially with the Aggies led 60-55 with 1:00 remaining. NM State then locked down on defense and hit crucial free throws to hold off a late comeback as they took down the Cougars 63-55.
 
Scoring for the Aggies was led by Salas with 17 points, followed by Cooper who recorded a double-double with 16 points and ten rebounds. Gia Pack led the team on the glass with 11 boards, including six offensive.
 
New Mexico State now heads to Kansas City, Mo. for the team's final road game of the season against UMKC on Feb. 24 at 12 p.m. MT.