NM State Faces Setback in Saturday Clash

In a competitive showdown on Saturday, NM State faced UTEP in El Paso. This event marked the 100th meeting between the two women’s basketball teams. Unfortunately for the Aggies, the game ended in disappointment, with a final score of 79-69 against them.

New Mexico State’s Recent Struggles

This defeat contributes to a troubling trend for NM State. It is their fourth loss in the last six away games, bringing their season record to 7-14. In Conference USA play, they now hold a 3-6 record.

Game Overview

The contest kicked off with Lucía Yenes scoring the initial points. NM State briefly led 8-6, but UTEP answered with a 7-0 run, closing the first quarter ahead 16-14. By halftime, NM State found themselves trailing 37-27, their largest deficit at that stage.

Key Player Performances

Several players stood out in the game:

• Imani Warren: Led the team with 21 points.
• Lucía Yenes: Contributed 20 points, playing a key role.
• Keira Hudson: Added 12 points, marking her sixth double-digit game this season.

Second Half Highlights

In the second half, NM State made efforts to close the gap. Emma Christiano began strongly, sinking a three-pointer. Warren and Yenes also contributed scores, but the Aggies couldn’t narrow the score to under four points for the rest of the game.

Statistical Insights

Some key statistics from the game include:

• NM State shot 14-for-17 from the free-throw line.
• This was their fifth game with over ten successful free throws in conference play.
• The team failed to record a block for the third time this season.

Coach and Player Insights

In the aftermath of the game, Imani Warren stressed the necessity of focusing amid distractions, stating, “The biggest step forward for us as a team is to keep outside noise off the court.” Meanwhile, Head Coach Jody Adams highlighted the need for reflection after every game, whether in victory or defeat, noting the commitment required for success.

Looking Ahead

Next, NM State will host Sam Houston at the Pan American Center on February 5 at 6 PM MT. Fans can catch the game live on ESPN+, with live statistics available online. For more updates on NM State Women’s Basketball, please visit Filmogaz.com.