SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University women's basketball team held Adams State University to just 19 percent from the field in claiming the 64-43 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Friday night.

WNMU (9-17, 6-14 RMAC) held ASU (3-20, 2-18 RMAC) to just 11-57 from the field, the best defensive effort of the season so far this year for the Lady Mustangs. WNMU utilized points in the paint (30-10) and fastbreak (14-4) to cruise to the win.

The Grizzlies jumped out to the early four-point lead and held the advantage until late in the first quarter when junior Jordan Gutierrez (Albuquerque, NM/Valley ) converted a layup in transition for the 10-8 lead. WNMU continued to run stretching the lead to seven with another layup in transition by Gutierrez, before junior Jada Grady (Louisville, KY/Seneca ) dialed long distance at the buzzer to give the Lady Mustangs a 15-8 lead after one.

ASU responded to start the second quarter going on an 8-0 spurt to take a 16-15 lead nearly three minutes into the quarter. The Lady Mustangs kept a slim lead the rest of the half taking a 24-21 advantage into halftime. Junior Tessa Jones (Truth or Consequences, NM/Hot Springs ) helped close the half with a jumper down the stretch.

A big third quarter helped put the game away with the Lady Mustangs outscoring the Grizzlies, 20-10. Sophomore Jade Botelho (Honolulu, HI/Iolani ) ignited a 14-1 run to start the third quarter with an early jumper and WNMU had a 38-22 lead at the end of the run following a jumper by junior Desiree Smith (Phoenix, AZ/Tolleson Union ).

The Grizzlies made one last run early in the fourth quarter when they trimmed the deficit back to eight, 46-38, with 7:17 to play in the contest. Freshman Megan Looney (Phoenix, AZ/Apache Junction ) collected a big layup a few minutes later and after foul shots by senior My'Kale French (Racine, WI/Case ) WNMU had the lead back to 15 on their way to taking the victory.

In addition to holding ASU to just 19 percent from the field, they went just 2-17 (12) from long range and 19-32 (59) at the foul line. WNMU responded with a 22-53 (42) effort, 2-12 (17) from three and 18-26 (69) at the foul line.

French paced the Lady Mustangs with 15 points, as WNMU had balanced scoring throughout with nine players scoring and six with at least six points. Smith went for a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, Gutierrez added 10 points and Botelho with nine. Smith also dished out a team-high six assists, while French came away with five steals.

Cydney McHenry led the Grizzlies with 11 points, while Maddy Merschel added 10. Both players also tied for the team-high in rebounds grabbing eight apiece.

WNMU will close the weekend tomorrow (Saturday) night when they host Fort Lewis College starting at 5:30 p.m. The Skyhawks defeated New Mexico Highlands, 70-53, earlier tonight.