PORTALES, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University Women's Basketball made the trip up to Portales, N.M. on Friday afternoon for the Conference Crossover with the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). The Mustangs first opponent would be in-state rival New Mexico Highlands. WNMU would win a gritty game, 45-42.
"Tough gritty win," said Head Coach
Josh Pace. "We didn't play as well as we could but we fought through adversity and pulled out a win. Proud of our team."
One Mustang would manage double figures on the Cowgirls.
Sydney Wright (Houston, Texas/Henley High School) was the top point scorer with 10 pts, including two from deep.
Diamond Moore (Colorado Springs, CO/Harrison High School) dropped a near double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds.
Points off turnovers and getting to the charity stripe would be the Mustangs recipe for success for tonight. The Mustangs managed 18 points off 15 TOs from the Cowgirls while only managed seven points off 11 Mustangs turnovers.
WNMU shot 15-65 (23.1%) overall and 3-16 (18.8%) from behind the arc. The Miners mustered a 18-64 (28.1%) from the field and 1-15 (6.7%) from three. At the charity stripe both teams struggled, as the Mustangs shot 12-15 (80.0%) and the Miners managed 5-9 (55.6%).
On the boards, Moore led the way with 10 boards.
Eliza Joynes (Adelaide, South Australia/Henley Sports Academy) added eight boards and Wright had seven.
Silvia Blanco (Madrid, Spain/IES Gerardo Diego) dished out the most assists with two.
In the defensive department,
Brooke Rodgers (Phoenix, Arizona/Cactus Shadows High School) and Joynes each recorded two steals. Joynes and Rodgers also defended the paint with a block each.
In the first quarter, the Mustangs and Cowgirls found themselves starting out with a rough shooting night, with the Mustangs leading 5-2 at the midway point. Rodgers drained two FTs to end the quarter 12-9 Mustangs.
The second quarter the Mustangs started quickly, extending their lead to eight, 19-11. NMHU dug deep in the final four minutes, holding the Mustangs to two points in that span, notching the game up at 21s.
Quarter number three is where the Mustangs nailed their first three for game, thanks to Wright, giving the Mustangs a 24-21. The quarter ended in favor of the Mustangs 29-25.
For the fourth quarter was the Mustangs took no time extending their lead to seven, 34-27 thanks to another Wright triple. The Cowgirls gave one last effort, cutting the deficit to three, but good FT shooting down the stretch kept the game on ice for the Mustangs, 45-42.
One Cowgirl managed double digits. Delani Harris scored a game-high 11 points with nine rebounds. Juliana Aragon contributed nine points. Aja Scott had 10 rebounds.
Top Mustangs:
Sydney Wright (Houston, Texas/Henley High School): 10 pts, (2-6 3FGS), 7 rebs
Diamond Moore (Colorado Springs, CO/Harrison High School): 9pts, 10 rebs
Brooke Rodgers (Phoenix, Arizona/Cactus Shadows High School): 8pts
The Mustangs will resume the Conference Crossover hosted by Eastern New Mexico with a matchup against Fort Lewis tomorrow, Nov. 10
th (12:00PM MT).
This game recap is presented by First American Bank. First American Bank is a proud supporter of WNMU Athletics!
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Western New Mexico University is a member of the NCAA Division II, and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). For additional information regarding Mustang Athletics, visit www.wnmumustangs.com; visit wnmu.edu for more information about Western New Mexico University. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @WNMUathletics (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok & Instagram)
