SILVER CITY, NM — The WNMU Mustangs (1-22, 1-16 Lone Star) put up a valiant fight against St. Edward's (13-13, 7-11 Lone Star), but ultimately fell 59-52 after a spirited fourth-quarter rally. Western New Mexico's defense was tenacious, forcing eight steals and blocking four shots, but they couldn't overcome the Hilltoppers' 43-30 rebounding edge.

The Mustangs came out strong, fueled by aggressive play and capitalizing on turnovers. Tess Taylor's (Huffman, TX/Hargrave High School) early 3-pointer at 7:37, set up by Naomi Kimble (Animas, NM/Animas High School), gave Western NM an initial lead. Even as St. Edward's briefly surged ahead, the Mustangs struck back, with Jordan Sapien's (El Paso, TX/Pebble Hills High School) critical layup at 3:04 helping them end the first quarter up 14-13.

Western New Mexico kept their momentum with Teeya Gordon's (Alamogordo, NM/Alamogordo High School) jumper at the start of the second quarter. However, a 7-0 run by the Hilltoppers, highlighted by Riley Moore's layup and free throw at 2:57, shifted the lead. Sapien's layup and free throw at 1:58 kept the Mustangs in the fight, but St. Edward's led 24-21 at the half.

The third quarter proved challenging for the Mustangs, who managed just one field goal. Kimble's clutch free throws at 7:47 and Gordon's layup at 6:25 kept Western NM close, but they found themselves trailing 35-31 heading into the final frame.

In the fourth, Western NM surged back. Sapien hit two free throws from a technical foul, and Gordon's consecutive layups tied the game at 39 with 8:07 remaining. Although Sapien again tied the game with a 3-pointer at 7:05, St. Edward's answered back with consistent scoring to pull away. Despite a late push, the Mustangs couldn't close the gap, ending with a 59–52 loss.

Sapien led the Mustangs with 25 points and four steals. Gordon added 17 points on 6 of 15 shooting. Kimble was instrumental on the boards, grabbing nine rebounds and dishing out two assists.

For St. Edward's, Kiana Bennett topped the scoring with 10 points, hitting 5 of 8 shots, and snagged seven rebounds. Mikah Chapman was a force with 12 rebounds and 10 points. Kendall Beck contributed significantly with 10 boards, two blocks, and eight points. Suni Davis added eight points and three assists, while Ramsey Robledo chipped in six points with a block and a steal.

The Mustangs' record stands at 1-22 overall and 1-16 in Lone Star play, while St. Edward's is at 13-13 overall and 7-11 in the Lone Star Conference.

Next up, Western NM will host St. Mary's for Senior Day on Saturday, Feb. 21 at Drag's Court in Silver City, New Mexico, with tip-off set for 12 p.m. local time.
 

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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 (X, TikTok & Instagram).