NM State falters at home

Returning to the Pan American Center, NM State (8-18, 4-10 CUSA) played host to rival UTEP (12-13, 4-10 CUSA). Following a tight first half, the Aggies failed to keep pace with the visiting Miners, falling by a final score of 69-58. 

Imani Warren notched a fast start for the Aggies, tallying five points, including one of two made 3-pointers for the junior guard, to give NMSU its largest lead of the afternoon (7-3). Anna Csenyi closed the opening quarter with a 3-pointer, giving the Aggies a 14-11 lead. However, a 9-2 run by UTEP to begin the second saw the Aggies fall behind by four (20-16). 

Despite a quartet of made 3-point baskets in the first 20 minutes, NM State trailed by one at halftime, 29-28. At the break, the Aggies held the edge in rebounds (19-18, 5-2 offensive), bench points (10-2) and blocks (4-1), while trailing in turnovers (5-4) and paint points (14-6). 

After being held to 41% shooting from the field and 11 made baskets in the first half, the visiting Miners erupted offensively in the third, knocking down 10 field goals on 62.5% shooting.

Graduate guard Loes Rozing battled to keep NMSU in the game, notching eight of her 10 points on Saturday afternoon in the third. Heading into the final frame, the Crimson & White trailed 55-42. It was the third game with double-digit points this season, and her first since Dec. 20. Her five made field goals ties a season-high for the Heiloo, Netherlands native. 

Emma Christiano buried her sixth 3-pointer of the season early in the fourth, with Keira Hudson sinking one of her three made 3-pointers on the day shortly thereafter. Hudson finished with a game-high 15 points, tying her career best in made 3-pointers, and free throws made and attempted in just 14 minutes of action.

Warren reached double digits for the 19th time this season – a team high in double-figure scoring outputs. The junior guard added two rebounds and tied for the team lead in blocks with two.

The Miners were able to build their lead to its largest of the contest with 5:24 remaining (66-48). A 6-0 scoring run by Hudson to close the contest proved too little too late, as NMSU dropped its fourth straight game, 69-58. 

“Some things we wanted to do, we did really well,” said Aggie head coach Jody Adams. “We just didn’t knock down open shots, and they did. You have to give UTEP the credit, coming in and continuing to battle. I thought our game plan coming in was solid, we played a good three quarters, and unfortunately, we struggled to put four good quarters together.”

NM State begins its final slate of home contests next weekend, hosting Kennesaw State and Jacksonville State. The matchup with the Owls tips off on Thursday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m. MT, with a live stream on ESPN+, and live stats available at nmstatesports.com/stats.