Southern Aggies overpower north in women’s contest
USU senior guard Taylor Richards hit 1,001 points, one of five players in USU history to hit 1,000, with her 11-point contribution in Saturday’s loss to the Aggies of New Mexico State University, 71-56.
This loss ends a three-game winning streak for the USU Aggies. Slipping to 6-9 on the season, the Aggies also hit 2-1 in the Western Athletic Conference. Senior guard Jamelah Brown led the scoring for the Aggies with 14 points.
Despite a successful first half, USU was unable to hold on to their fire. Shooting a 30.4 field goal percentage did not come close to the 55.3 percent shot by New Mexico. USU managed to out rebound New Mexico 39-32.
“Our shots just weren’t falling,” junior guard Danyelle Snelgro said in a post-game radio interview. ” It wasn’t that we weren’t rebounding. It was just the ball wasn’t going in the basket for us.”
First half play began well with Brown’s initial shot, and USU stood at 18-10 with less than 12 minutes to play. Taking the lead early and remaining on top throughout most of the opening half gave USU momentum, but it wouldn’t last.
NMSU free throws changed the lead to 30-27 as both teams made their way to the locker room. Once again, head coach Raegan Pebley looked to her entire team, not just starters, to bring the game to life. Stopping New Mexico State proved more difficult than expected.
“We got good looks, we took some good shots,” Pebley said. “They went zone on us and we got good attempts in our zone offense. But we just didn’t hit, it might have been unfriendly rims. I don’t know.”
NMSU senior forward Anikia Jawara toppled the USU defense by sending in 19 points to lead her team offensively. Three New Mexico State players made it to double digits, including senior forward Sherell Neal with 18 points.
Second half play started and finished in the hands of NMSU. Utah State remained unable to maintain scoring late in the half, as New Mexico State trampled the northern Aggies with a 27-10 run and sealed the deal with a 71-52 lead and less than a minute to play.
“We had defensive mistakes that were made, which allowed them back in the game,” Pebley said. “We pride ourselves on being a pretty good defensive team. We continue to build on that. We just had some lapses.”
New Mexico State moved to 13-3 overall and gained a 3-0 record in the WAC.
USU continues its road campaign against Boise State University on Jan. 17. Following a bout with the University of Idaho, USU will return to the Spectrum to host the southern Aggies.
-erin.wadsworth@aggiemail..usu.edu