LYNCHBURG, Va. – Playing in its second and final game of the weekend on Valentines Day, NM State (8-17, 4-9 CUSA) visited 'Hill City' for a matchup with the Liberty Lady Flames (13-11, 7-6 CUSA). Falling behind 18-5 in the first quarter, the Aggies were unable to rally from the deficit, dropping the contest by a score of 67-42.
 
After tallying the first two baskets of the contest, the Aggies allowed an 18-1 run over last 8 minutes of the first quarter, to trail 18-5 at the end of one. Improvement on defense saw NM State turn the Lady Flames over six times in the second quarter compared to just once in the opening stanza, but the offensive woes followed the Crimson & White as they entered the locker room trailing 36-15.
 
Imani Warren proved to be the most effective for the Aggies in the opening half, totaling nine points and a pair of steals. Lucía Yenes added four points, three rebounds, two blocks and one steal in 18 minutes of action.
 
Warren was the first and only Aggie to finish with double-digit points, scoring NM State's first basket in the second half. Senoj Jones scored the last five points of the frame, including a tough and-one layup through contact. The freshman forward would tally the first Crimson & White points of the fourth.
 
DeAvion Wilson would notch five points to lead the scoring effort in the final ten minutes, totaling seven points – a new career high. Lucia Lara would add the Aggies' lone 3-pointer of the afternoon.
 
NUMBERS OF NOTE

• Imani Warren ended Saturday afternoon with 11 points, two rebounds and two steals. The junior guard has now led the Aggies in scoring 11 times this season, including seven instances in CUSA action.
• DeAvion Wilson tallied a new career high in points, tallying seven in 28 minutes of action. The Houston, Texas, native added three rebounds, three assists and one steal.
• Senoj Jones recorded seven points off the bench, going 3-for-4 from the field in 12 minutes. The freshman forward finished the weekend averaging 9.0 points and 3.5 rebounds on 63.6% shooting.
• For just the fourth time in conference action, Lucía Yenes failed to tally 10-plus points, posting four points along with five rebounds, two blocks and one steal.
• NM State tied its lowest point total of the season (42), while posting a new season low in 3-pointers made (1).

 
QUOTABLES
 
Head Coach Jody Adams, on the performance against Liberty: "This was a tough one for us. We just didn't knock down shots and they did. Us playing hard will never be the issue and I'm grateful I don't have to coach effort.
 
I have challenged this group to make the team their team and player led. They have been taught what it takes to win, they know everyone matters, and I know deep down that they can finish a four-quarter game if they allow the fight in their hearts to lead them.
 
It will be good to get back to Las Cruces tomorrow and regroup for UTEP at home."
 
Emma Christiano, on the team's road record this season: "This team hasn't learned how to win on the road, which makes our home games must-win situations. That's completely on us. Our coaching staff puts together great scouts, game plans, and we are well-fed and taken care of on the road. I don't know what the solution is, but it needs to be player-led. We have no time left to not get it done on the road. The tournament is on the road and it's vital we find out how to bring the same juice we do at home on the road."
 
Emma Christiano, on the mindset with five regular-season games remaining: "We can't take any game for granted, we need to win out and keep control of our own destiny for the conference tournament. We have played good defense at home, and we need to put four quarters of complete play together during our home stand. If we execute what the coaches give us, play unselfish ball, knock down our shots, and give effort, we can beat anyone. We have to play each game like it's our last. Every single one of us has to sell out." 

The Aggies return home to the Pan American Center on Saturday, Feb. 21, to conclude the season series with rival UTEP. Action begins at 2 p.m. MT, with ESPN+ hosting the 101^st meeting between the programs, and live stats available at nmstatesports.com/stats.

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