LAS CRUCES, N.M. - In its lone contest with a non-Division I opponent this season, NM State comfortably met and exceeded expectations. The offense was the most productive it has been in any of the nine games played so far, as the home team knocked down 53.1% of all field goals en route to an impressive 89-point output. Head Coach Jody Adams' defensive schemes held the visiting Mustangs to just 54 points and produced 23 turnovers. Western NM, who counted the game as an exhibition, remained 6-2, while NM State won their second home game of the year to improve to 5-4.
First Quarter
Ene Adams poured in 10 points on 5-6 shooting in the opening minutes, comfortably leading all scorers. The senior forward also grabbed three of her four rebounds in the first frame, and would go on to finish with 15 points in the win. A Mustang layup made it 8-6 in favor of the home team shortly after the first media timeout. NM State responded with an 11-0 run that spanned over four minutes, swelling its lead to 19-6 as the quarter neared a close. A pair of baskets from either side sent the game into its second stanza with the Aggies ahead 21-12.
Second Quarter
Molly Kaiser erupted for one of her most productive quarters in her illustrious career, in what was a dominant 10 minutes for her squad. The Aggies outscored WNMU 21-6, on the back of a near-perfect 12 points from Kaiser. The senior guard hit five of her six field goals, canned both free throw attempts, and grabbed a pair of rebounds to spark what was the Aggies' best quarter of the 2023-24 campaign. Holding the Mustangs to just one made field goal, NM State was a season-best +15, sending the teams to the locker room with the Aggies in front 42-18.
Third Quarter
Kaiser would continue her efficient command of the floor into the second half, pouring in another 10 points on just five field goal attempts. The fourth-year Aggie knocked down both of her 3-point attempts in the frame, and would finish 2-2 on the night. NM State poked away four steals in the third as part of a 10-steal evening. Sabou Gueye led all Aggies with three takeaways, increasing her team-best average to 2.2.
Fourth Quarter
As anticipated in a 35-point contest, the fourth quarter belonged to the bench. Lucía Yenes and Sha'Kyia Parker each chipped in seven points and went 1-2 from beyond the arc in the final 10 minutes. Yenes also added four of her game-high nine rebounds. Parker entered the night having played eight minutes and 42 seconds, but logged 16 minutes against WNMU, highlighted by 8:15 in the fourth quarter. The graduate transfer guard hit three of her five field goal attempts and added a pair of assists, finishing with seven points, three assists and a steal. Imani Warren also recorded her first made field goal of her career, as she knocked down a 3-pointer with 8:33 remaining. The freshman guard logged over 14 minutes of playing time, more than she had on the entire season entering Tuesday. Warren added three free throws en route to a six-point, two-rebound, one-steal performance.
Numbers of Note
-
Every Aggie was positive in their minutes, including six members that were +15 or better when on the floor.
-
The Aggies remained undefeated when out-rebounding their opponents this season, as they led the Mustangs 31-19 overall.
-
19 rebounds were the fewest by any NM State opponent this season, and the fewest since 1,842 days prior, when Northern NM also finished with 19 (Nov. 26, 2018).
-
The Aggies set several season highs in the win, including:
-
Points (89)
-
Margin of victory (35)
-
Field goals made (34)
-
Field goals attempted (64)
-
Free throws attempted (21)
-
Turnover margin (+9)
-
Points in a quarter (third; 26)
-
Points in a half (second; 47)
-
89 points were the most allowed by WNMU this season
-
The Aggies scored at least 20 points in all four quarters for the first time since Dec. 28, 2021, when they defeated SAGU American Indian College 110-40.
-
Lucía Yenes hauled in nine rebounds, breaking her previous career-high of six, which came against New Mexico earlier this month.
-
Jaila Harding earned her first appearance in the starting lineup this season. In a little over 16 minutes, the junior guard tallied seven points, an assist, and a career-best six rebounds.
Senior guard Molly Kaiser, on the win: "The week of prep was important. Coming in off a loss, we were able to lock in, watch film and see what we were doing wrong. By getting to the rim and getting to the free-throw line, you're able to get more in the flow of the game. Having an overall team game, everyone seeing the ball go in, that's what you want every game."
Senior guard Molly Kaiser, on the importance of developing depth: "I'm very proud. We're a very deep team, and we're still trying to figure out who we are as far as offense and defense. Honestly, it's just a competition in practice. If we continue to compete in practice, that's going to translate to the floor. I'm proud of them for coming out here and playing their game, and of course for getting back in the win column. We just have to continue to build every day to turn this into a second win, a third win. We want to be rolling going into conference season."
Up Next
The Aggies will stay in Las Cruces to wrap up their three-game homestand on Saturday, Dec. 16. Former WAC foes will meet once again in the Pan American Center, as Utah Valley (4-5) rolls in coming off of a 30-point win over Utah State. The Wolverines and Aggies will clash at 1:00 PM MT on ESPN+, and the game can be followed via StatBroadcast.
For complete coverage of NM State Women's Basketball, follow us on Twitter (@NMStateWBB), Instagram (@NMStateWBB) and like us on Facebook (NM State Women's Basketball). You can also follow along with Aggie Women's Basketball via NMStateSports.com.
##NM State##
