SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University women's basketball team opened their home portion of their schedule with a 52-31 victory over the University of the Southwest Wednesday night.

After both teams started slow, WNMU (2-1) began to heat up scoring the first six points of the game with Deandra Williams (Rosenburg, TX/Terry ) accounting for four points and Desiree Smith (Phoenix, AZ/Tolleson Union ) the other.

University of the Southwest (2-3) started to work their way back into the first quarter trimming the deficit to three at 8-5 with just over two minutes to play and WNMU would add a point to their leading for a 12-8 advantage after the first.

WNMU opened strong in the second quarter going on a 12-0 run. Cristiana Yepa (Dulce, NM/Dulce ) got things going with a three and after free throws by both Smith and Williams, Yepa closed the run with another triple at the 5:04 mark to take a 24-8 lead.

That would end up being the largest lead of the first half for WNMU as USW would cut into the lead a little bit with WNMU holding a 25-14 lead at the break.

The WNMU defense was strong limiting USW to just a 14.7 (5-34) shooting percentage. WNMU had strong advantages on points in the paint (10-2), points off turnovers (7-1) and second-chance (6-3) through the first 20 minutes.

USW didn't go away in the second half, as they got back to within four midway through the third quarter. WNMU would hold off the comeback and carry a six-point lead, 33-27, into the final quarter.

Jordan Gutierrez (Albuquerque, NM/Valley ) ignited WNMU early in the final frame as she drilled a three-pointer to jump the lead to nine. Jade Botelho (Honolulu, HI/Iolani ) moved the lead back into double-digits with a jumper at the 4:44 mark for the 42-31 lead.

WNMU would keep the lead in double-digits the rest of the way as a three-pointer by Jada Grady (Louisville, KY/Seneca ) gave WNMU their largest lead of the night at 51-32 which would also be the final score.

Both teams struggled from the floor with WNMU connecting on 20-65 (30.8), while USW made 13-62 (21). WNMU held a 4-2 edge on three-pointers and a 7-4 advantage on free throws.

Williams powered WNMU with a team high 14 points, making 5-10 from the field. She also had a double-double with 10 rebounds and tallied five steals. Yepa came off the bench to post nine points on 4-6 shooting and added six rebounds. Botelho led the team in rebounds with 12.

Anitria Flowers led USW with 11 points and eight rebounds.

WNMU will hit the road this coming Saturday as they will play at Angelo State beginning at 1 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.