SAN ANTONIO -- Western New Mexico University put together a late-game surge and it propelled the Lady Mustangs to an 81-77 women's basketball non-conference win Thursday night at Bill Greehey Arena.

Trailing the majority of the first half, St. Mary´s tied the game at 31-31 with 3:49 left in the first half and entered halftime trailing 38-37.

St. Mary´s scored on its opening possession of the second half to grab its first lead, 39-38, after freshman forward Ashton Benford, who led the Lady Rattlers (12-10, 5-3) with 22 points and 12 rebounds, sank a layup.

The Rattlers led by as many as five in the second half and led 73-72 with 2:06 remaining. But the Mustangs (3-18, 1-7) scored on back-to-back possessions – a three-ball by Whitney Card and a layup from Manley – to regain the lead and push it to 77-73.

Trailing by four with 17 seconds left, the Lady Rattlers struggled inbounding the basketball, resulting in a costly turnover that ultimately prevented them from stretching the game any further.

Rattlers sophomore guard Becca Herbst, like Benford, posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Five Lady Mustangs finished in double figures, led by the 17 points scored apiece by Crystal Smith and Tannesia Manley.

Western New Mexico continues its road trip with a Saturday date at Incarnate Word.