EL PASO, Texas – The New Mexico State women's basketball team led wire-to-wire to secure a 64-49 WAC win over Seattle U at Eastwood High School in El Paso on Friday afternoon. The Aggies snapped a three-game losing streak with the win.
 
The Aggies (4-8, 2-3 WAC) defense came out of the gates ready play with Seattle U (9-8, 4-3 WAC) making only two field goals by the 2:13 mark of the first quarter. Meanwhile the Aggie offense attacked the rim and found open shooters to open a 15-8 lead through one. Seattle U shot 2-12 from the floor in the quarter.
 
NM State then opened the second quarter on a 12-0 run to build its lead out to 27-8 with 3:49 to play in the half. The Aggies kept their foot on the gas with Rodrea Echols capping the first half with a steal and score to make it 31-12 at the half. The 12 points given up by the Aggies in the first half is the fewest points given up in a half by NM State in a WAC game. The Redhawks were shooting just 13.8-percent from the floor at the break.
 
Seattle got a little offense going in the third quarter to outscore NM State 19-16 in the period, but the Aggies stayed in front, 47-31, through three. NM State's lead quickly ballooned back to 21, 61-40, after a pair of free throws from Nana Sule with 4:21 to play. Not long after, the Aggies emptied their bench and played to the 64-49 final.
 
Echols led the way with 17 points while shooting 7-16 from the floor. Sophomore Soufia Inoussa added 14 points and 7 boards on the afternoon. NM State's defense held Seattle U to 16-61 shooting from the floor and forced 21 Redhawk turnovers. The Aggie offense was dominant inside, scoring 32 points in the paint.
 
NM State is back in action on Saturday, Feb. 13, at 1 p.m. (MT) for a rematch with Seattle U at Eastwood High School. No fans are allowed but the game will air live on the WAC Digital Network as well as 91.5 FM KRUX.