LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Looking to rebound following a pair of hard-fought road losses, NM State returned to the City of Crosses for their penultimate home game of the season. For the first 25 minutes of the ballgame, the home team seemed in control, building an advantage as large as eight. Despite leading the Lady Flames for over 22 minutes, the Aggies ultimately dropped a 60-56 contest, missing 11 field goals and six free throws in the fourth quarter. Liberty (14-14) won its eighth game in nine tries, improving to 9-4 in CUSA action. The loss moved NM State to 11-16 overall and 5-9 in CUSA play. 

Molly Kaiser paced the team in scoring for the 16th time this season, putting in 20 points, including a trio of 3-point buckets. Bigs Fanta Gassama (six points, career-high 14 rebounds) and Ene Adams (12 points, seven rebounds) chipped in solid performances despite the close loss. 

First Quarter

After securing the opening tip, Ene Adams found Fanta Gassama driving down the lane for an easy layup and the first points of the game. A Molly Kaiser steal and bucket combination propelled a hot start, with the home team leading 6-2 through the first two and a half minutes. Liberty's Asia Boone scored on back-to-back possessions to give Liberty its first lead of the contest at the 6:23 mark (9-8). Trailing 13-8, the Aggies closed the quarter on a 6-0 run, including five straight bench points from junior forward Tylie Jones, taking a 14-13 edge after one quarter. NM State entered at 11-1 when leading after the first quarter this season. 

Second Quarter

Kaiser opened the next quarter with another patented mid-range jump shot, extending the Aggie run. The home team was in the midst of what finished as a 13-0 outburst as seniors Molly Kaiser and Ene Adams posted three consecutive baskets. The last of the three was a Kaiser 3-pointer, giving NM State its largest lead of the contest at 21-13. Lady Flame Bella Smuda snapped the road team's scoreless streak at the 6:24 mark of the second frame, putting in one of just four Liberty baskets in the quarter. A hefty scoring drought followed for the Crimson & White, scoring two points over the ensuing five minutes before Molly Kaiser buried her second three of the night. The home team still held a 29-23 advantage heading into the locker room. They began the night 11-5 when on top at the break. 

Third Quarter

Liberty forward Bella Smuda put in four quick points to keep the Lady Flames within striking distance. Seniors Molly Kaiser and Ene Adams added the home team's first seven points, and Jaila Harding knocked down a jumper for her first basket of the contest. The quick offense helped NM State take a 38-32 lead with 5:20 remaining in the stanza. The Aggies went cold down the stretch, while allowing three made buckets and a pair of free throws to give up a 40-38 lead with 43 ticks on the third-quarter clock. Harding canned a triple and Tylie Jones sank a pair of free throws to give the home team a 43-40 lead with 10 minutes remaining in the game. At the start of the contest, NM State was 11-2 when ahead to begin the fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter

Looking to protect their lead and earn a sixth CUSA win, an Ene Adams layup put NM State on the board first to begin the final frame. Within 60 seconds, five straight points from Liberty's Emma Hess knotted things at 45, forcing an Aggie timeout. The Lady Flames stayed hot out of the timeout, capping off a 10-0 run to take the lead for the final time. After knocking down free throws at an average rate (8-for-12) in the first three quarters, the Crimson & White went just 2-for-8 (25%) in the final 10 minutes. A Kaiser 3-pointer with 1.9 seconds remaining was too little, too late for the home team, finalizing the affair at 60-56.

Numbers of Note

• Two separate five-minute scoring droughts proved costly for NM State. Across 5:20-0:30 in the third quarter and 9:33-4:38 of the fourth quarter, the Aggies were outscored 18-0.

• NM State began the season with an 11-0 record when leading after the first quarter. They have now lost their past two such games after posting a first quarter lead.

• Molly Kaiser finished with 20 points, marking her 22nd game with ten or more points this season. The Watauga, Texas native has posted double digits in 17 of the last 20 contests, including four performances of 20+ points. She has five games with 20 or more points this season. 

• The Aggies finished with just nine turnovers, by far their fewest of the season (13; three times). 

• Fanta Gassama posted a career high in rebounds, grabbing 14 boards including a pair on the offensive glass. This is the fifth time the junior forward has recorded double digit rebounds for the Crimson & White.

• Ene Adams' 12 points in 27 minutes gives the senior big 211 points on the season, becoming just the third Aggie to eclipse 200 points this campaign; joining Molly Kaiser (388) and Jaila Harding (257).

• Paint points were a valuable commodity in the first half, with the teams combining for 26 points down low.

Up Next

The Aggies will return to action Saturday, Mar. 2 for their final home game of the 2023-24 season. In addition to being a 'Pack the Pan Am' game, it will also serve as Senior Day, when NM State will recognize a trio of seniors: Ene Adams, Femme Sikuzani Masudi and Molly Kaiser. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., while also streaming on ESPN+ and live stats available at nmstatestats.com. 

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