Rodriguez Comes Up Big in Overtime Win

Box Score Portales, N.M – Paulina Rodriguez (Chihuahua, Mexico/Montverde Academy ) came up big tonight for the Mustangs, hitting two big three-pointers in a 70-68 win over Fort Lewis in overtime.

Western trailed most of the game, with the Skyhawks outscoring the Mustangs 12-17 in the first, 16-18 in the second and 11-13 in the third. Sharp shooting and tough defense sparked a 20-11 fourth quarter run for the Mustangs taking a 49-48 lead on a Ciara Fields (El Paso, TX/El Dorado) 3-pointer.

The teams traded baskets with the Skyhawks taking a 59-56 lead on free throws with 23 seconds left in regulation play. With nine seconds left, Paulina Rodriguez (Chihuahua, Mexico/Montverde Academy ) hit one of three, 3-pointers to tie and force the game into overtime.

Heading into overtime, Western found themselves down early before Cassandra Vickery (Tularosa, NM/Tularosa) connected on a three of her own to put them up 66-65. Fort Lewis regained the lead with 34 seconds left, before Rodriguez hit her second three-pointer to put the Mustangs ahead 69-68. A Vickery free-throw, and a missed jumper by the Skyhawks saw the clock run out giving the 70-68 win favor of Western.

Vickery contributed 14 points, three rebounds and two assists on 3-6 field shooting to fuel the Mustangs. Rodriguez followed with 5-10 from the field, 3-5 from three-point range for 13 points. Ciara Fields (El Paso, TX/El Dorado) fell just shy of a double-double tallying 11 points and nine rebounds.

Western returns to play tomorrow when they take on New Mexico Highlands at 5:30 p.m. (MST)

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Players Mentioned

#20 Ciara Fields: G; 5' 9"; Junior

#13 Cassandra Vickery: G; 5' 7"; Freshman

#4 Paulina Rodriguez: G; 5' 11"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#20 Ciara Fields
: 5' 9"; Junior
: G

#13 Cassandra Vickery
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: G

#4 Paulina Rodriguez
: 5' 11"; Junior
: G

Players Mentioned

#20 Ciara Fields

#13 Cassandra Vickery

#4 Paulina Rodriguez

Players Mentioned

#20 Ciara Fields

#13 Cassandra Vickery

#4 Paulina Rodriguez