EL PASO, Texas - NM State lost a nail biter in El Paso Wednesday night, despite shooting over 50% for the first time this season. 

Molly Kaiser and Fama Thiam both had strong performances combining for 31 of the Aggies points. Kaiser had 15 points, all coming in the second half, Inoussa had 16 points on 7-12 shooting with two three's. 

The Aggie defense also had their hand in this game. NM State forced 12 turnovers including six steals with four of the steals coming from Molly Kaiser. In addition, NM State held UTEP to just 32% shooting in the second half. 

Things got out to a hot start for the Aggies again. A technical foul was handed out to UTEP prior to tip off sending Soufia Inoussa to the line for one, which she made giving the Aggies an early 1-0 lead. After a couple of transition buckets and a made three from Fama Thiam, the Aggies were ahead 8-0 just two minutes into the first quarter.

The Miners followed the Aggies hot start with a 14-0 run over the next six minutes. By the Quarters end, the Miners had jumped out to a 16-3 lead. 

The Aggies kept close with the miners in the second quarter. Taylor Donaldson returned to the lineup after missing two games  and led the Aggies with four points in the quarter. At the midway point, the Aggies only trailed the Miners by six points (33-27) and still had a good chance at winning this ball game in the second half. 

Much like the Aggies start to the first half, the Miners came out of the locker room hot and went on a 8-0 run themselves to begin the second half action. Fama Thiam finally put an end to the steak with a made three from the left wing bringing the score to 41-30. Taylor Donaldson brought the deficit back to single digits with a driving layup in the paint with just under five-minutes to play in the quarter. The Aggies closed out the third quarter scoring the final five points and headed into the fourth quarter trailing by just three points (48-45)

Both teams were going back and forth in the final quarter trading baskets. Molly Kaiser owned the fourth quarter scoring ten of her 15 points in the period. Kaiser would give the Aggies the lead again with five minutes after a beautiful driving layup between two defenders following a steal on the other end forced by Taylor Donaldson. 

Kaiser would come up big again late in the quarter after being fouled on a made layup with just 1:46 left to play. This fired up the Aggie bench and gave the Aggies a one point lead (59-58) heading down the final stretch.

UTEP held a three point advantage with just ten seconds left to play. A charge on the Miners gave the Aggies the ball and a chance to tie or take the lead. Jody Adams drew up a play for her team coming out of a timeout, but the Aggies were unable to get the ball inbounded, forcing a turnover and putting the Aggies in foul mode. 

The Miners made both free throws extending the Aggie deficit to four with under nine to play. NM State was unable to put a pickup a basket and let time run out giving the Miners the 65-61 victory over the Aggies.

Notes

• The Aggies elected to run the same starting five of Kaiser, Inoussa, Thiam, Strawbridge and Peterson that they've been running the entire season.
• NM State lost the opening tip
• The Aggies shot a season high 52% from the field and 36% from the arc. 
• Molly Kaiser scored a season high 15 points in the game
• Fama Thiam finished with 16 points and eight rebounds, just two boards shy of a double-double. 
• Kaiser led the Aggies with four steals on the night as NM State forced 12 UTEP turnovers

Next Up
The Aggies are back on the road this weekend in San Diego to compete in the the University of San Diego Winter Classic for a pair of games Saturday and Sunday. They take on San Diego Saturday at 3 p.m. and Idaho Sunday at 3 p.m.