SILVER CITY, N.M.- The Mustangs are in the final stretch of home games for the year. This afternoon they took on opponent West Texas A&M University securing the win 59-52 win for the second time in school history.
"I am very proud of how our team performed today," said Head Coach
Josh Pace. "West Texas is a perennial powerhouse and was a final four team last year."
The Mustangs got their redemption after falling just short on January 12th, losing at West Texas, 73-66.
"We have been in close games all year, and finally showed what we are capable of," said Pace. "It feels good to get this one!"
Sydney Wright (Houston, Texas/Henley High School) would lead the Mustangs with 14 points. Also, in double-digits for WNMU was
Diamond Moore (Colorado Springs, CO/Harrison High School) with 11 points and eight rebounds.
Brooke Rodgers (Phoenix, Arizona/Cactus Shadows High School) would end with 10 points and six rebounds.
Delaney Cook (Peoria, IL/Peoria Notre Dame High School) was perfect from beyond the arc, going 3-of-3.
From tip-off, the Lady Buffs would start very fast giving us a score of 10-4 in the first four minutes of the game. The Mustangs would go on a 15-2 run allowing them to surpass WT and finish the first quarter, up 17-12. The Mustangs did not look up, not giving up the lead for the rest of the game.
WNMU went into halftime leading, 28-24. They shot well in the first quarter 11-of-28 (39.3%) from the field, 4-of-9 (44.4%) from the three-point line, and 2-of-2 (100%) from the free-throw line.
Defensively, the Mustangs forced the Lady Buffs to 11 turnovers, including eight turnovers in the second half.
Delaney Cook (Peoria, IL/Peoria Notre Dame High School) and
Milan Tuttle (Oakland, California/Heritage High School) led the Mustangs in steals with two each.
Brooke Rodgers (Phoenix, Arizona/Cactus Shadows High School) register one steal as well. Cook also ahd the sole block on the day.
In close knit game every possession mattered headed to the fourth quarter. With 9:19 left in the 4th quarter, the Buffs cut the Mustangs lead to 40-39. WNMU kept the gas going and had lead as high as nine points with 0:17 left.
Mustangs ended the day shooting 22-of-49 (44.9%) from the field, 6-of-16 (37.5%) from the three-point line, and 9-of-16 (56.3%) from the free-throw line. WNMU out rebounded WT 30 to 28 and on assists 11 to 9. WNMU's bench came in ready to shoot with 11 points.
WT had more steals, seven to WNMU's five. This would translate to WNMU is 17 turnovers compared to the Buffs 11.
"We want to keep it going and finish the year off strong," concluded Pace.
The Mustangs will hit the road for the last time this season to face Arkansas Fort Smith Thursday, February 16
th at 4:30 PM MT.
This game recap is presented by First American Bank. First American Bank is a proud supporter of WNMU Athletics!
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, TikTok & Instagram).
