Laredo, TX -- Western New Mexico's Women's basketball team opened up the official season with a six-point loss at the hands of Texas A&M International, 61-55, Thursday in Laredo. The Mustangs had a lukewarm shooting night, managing only 34% from the field, which was no match for the Dustdevils in the season opener for both teams.

WNMU trailed by just a bucket at the intermission but could not hold their rally in the second half as TAMUI's lead finished at six. The Mustangs held a four-point lead with four minutes left in the game but let the game slip away in the final minutes.

The Mustangs got 15 points from Ashley Vigil (Albuquerque, NM/Sandia High School) and 10 each from Jocelyn Chavez and Whitney Card (Tucson, AZ/Sahuaro High School). Newcomer Christa Kennedy (Soldatna, AK/Soldatna High School) tallied 10 rebounds in her debut for Western and Whitney Lewis (Marana, AZ/Marana High School) also had a nice night under the boards with 9.

Western's cold shooting was just half the problem, however, as the Mustangs were out-rebounded by 10 by the Dustdevils, which proved too much to overcome despite forcing 18 TAMUI turnovers. Western gave up the ball 13 times on the night.

WNMU will face Wayland Baptist Friday.

Click here for game stats.