Box Score LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Despite Chicago State (3-17, 1-6 WAC) outshooting New Mexico State (14-6, 7-0 WAC) 42 percent to 38 percent, the Aggies used their high-pressure defense to force 20 turnovers. NM State was able to capitalize on those miscues to take a 30-5 advantage in points off turnovers.
The Aggies started quickly going on a 11-2 run to open the game. But the Cougars bounced right back with seven-straight points to cut the Aggie lead to 11-9 with under 15 minutes left in the first half. Chicago State hung tough and after a Cougar 3-pointer the game was knotted up at 18-18 with just over eight minutes left in the opening frame.
The Aggies would come out of the under-8 media timeout, however, with seven-consecutive points to regain the lead. Chicago State would cut the lead to four in the final minute as NM State led 29-25 at intermission.
NM State started the second half on a 10-5 run as the Aggie lead was at nine, 39-30, at the under-16 media timeout. The Aggies continued to extend their lead throughout the next six minutes and after marking 10-straight points the lead had grown to its biggest at 17, 51-34, midway through the final half. NM State would maintain its lead during the final 10 minutes of the game giving NM State the 17-point win.
The Cougars were led by
Konner Harris (Sidney, Ohio/Sidney) and
Layne Murphy (Country Club Hills, Ill./Rich Central) who both had 11 points with Layne grabbing 14 rebounds earning her a double-double.
The Cougars look to bounce back in conference play where they face Texas-Pan American on Saturday February 7
th in Edinburg, TX
