SILVER CITY, NM — Western New Mexico (0-18, 0-12 Lone Star) couldn't overcome Texas A&M-Kingsville's rebounding edge, falling 64-54 on Thursday at Drag's Court. Despite forcing 21 turnovers, the Mustangs were outmatched on the boards, with the Javelinas holding a 44-18 advantage.

Western NM faced an uphill battle from the start as Texas A&M-Kingsville jumped out to an 8-0 lead with a quick series of layups. Teeya Gordon (Alamogordo, NM/Alamogordo High School) got the Mustangs on the board with free throws at 7:15, but the Javelinas' defense kept the pressure on. Brelee Nichols (Huffman, TX/Hargrave High School) hit a jumper at 2:49, assisted by Jordan Sapien (El Paso, TX/Pebble Hills High School), to cut into the lead, but Western NM ended the first quarter trailing 21-7.

The Mustangs found a spark in the second quarter, thanks to a 3-pointer from Tess Taylor (Huffman, TX/Hargrave High School) at 5:46, assisted by Sapien. Gordon added a layup at 4:44, closing the gap. Both teams scored 15 points in the quarter, but Western NM went into halftime down 36-22.

Momentum shifted in the third as Jacqueline Aguayo (Deming, NM/Deming High School) nailed a crucial 3-pointer at 7:32, assisted by Sapien. Taylor followed with back-to-back 3-pointers, narrowing the deficit to seven points. The Mustangs capitalized on turnovers, scoring seven points off Javelinas' mistakes, and finished the quarter trailing 50-43.

In the fourth, Western NM's defense showed grit with three steals and several fast-break opportunities. Sapien's two free throws at 2:23 and a jumper from Taylor kept the Mustangs in the fight, but Addisyn Parker's timely 3-pointer for the Javelinas at 2:00 helped them maintain the lead, finishing the game with a 64-54 victory.

Tess Taylor (Huffman, TX/Hargrave High School) led the Mustangs with 24 points, hitting 5 of 9 from downtown, and added two steals. Sapien contributed eight points and five assists. Gordon was strong inside, posting 12 points and eight rebounds, along with three steals. Nadia Randall (Albuquerque, NM/Sandia High School) chipped in with four points and two steals for the defensive effort.

For the Javelinas, Kaylee Howell led with 15 points, shooting 7-of-9, and grabbed nine rebounds, seven on the offensive end. Jadeyn Perez added 14 points, hitting two 3-pointers. Thalia Daniels was a defensive force with two blocks and two steals, plus nine rebounds and three assists. Kaycee Groves recorded three blocks, two steals, and eight rebounds. Addisyn Parker added eight points and two steals, knocking down two 3-pointers.

Western New Mexico remains winless in Lone Star play, now 0-18 overall. Texas A&M-Kingsville improved to 4-13 overall and 4-7 in the Lone Star conference.

Up next, Western New Mexico will take on Texas A&M International on Saturday for a Yellow Game, in support of stalking awareness month, Jan. 31, at Drag's Court in Silver City. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. MT.
 

 ***

 
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 (X, TikTok & Instagram).