The New Mexico State Women’s basketball team Aggies (7-11, 3-5) traveled to face the California Baptist Lancers (15-4, 7-2) and had an underwhelming performance on the court. NMSU was outcompeted 64-92, as they recorded their second-lowest shooting percentage of the season. 

Despite an effort from the lead scorer Bigue Sarr, who had 13 points and five rebounds in her 18 minutes of playing time, NM State was still unable to close the early point gap. For the second game in a row, three Aggies scored in double-digits- in addition to Sarr, guard Taylor Donaldson with 12 and Shania Harper with 10; but only shot 33 percent while CBU shot 56 percent. 

The Lancers were on the board within the first possession, but Sarr responded with a jumper from the elbow. The next four baskets came from Sarr, who matched her last game’s points within two and a half minutes. California Baptist’s Ane Olaeta jump started a 13-0 run and put them up 19-6. The Aggies were later able to close the gap, before the second quarter to 11-26 after forwards Shania Harper and Deja Terrell came off the bench for a combined five points.

CBU’s Trinity San Antonio came in just as hot in the second quarter as the first and put the Lancers up 16 points. Then Donaldson responded with a jumper off the backboard but it was no match for California Baptist’s next run that put them up 35-13.​​​​ After Sarr scored again, junior guard Fama Thiam sank a three-pointer but the Lancers went on another run. It took 14 undisputed points before the Aggies scored off of a pair of free throws from Jade Bradley. 

Junior guard Soufia Inoussa started off the second half with a strong, left-handed jumper in the paint to make the score 22-51. The Aggies were able to scrape up four points with free throws from Harper and Molly Kaiser. Then with an assist from guard Adrianna Henderson, Kaiser scored a fast-break layup. With some momentum on their side and a 4-0 run, NM State’s Kayla Watkins nailed a corner three-pointer fresh off the bench, but NMSU was still down 33-66. The Lancers responded with seven points before Henderson hit a two-pointer outside the paint and the team’s headed into the fourth quarter 37-73. 

The Aggies finally found their hot hand and outscored the Lancers 27-19 in the fourth quarter but proved too late to affect the final outcome. Their efforts started with a 9-2 run, with most points coming from Sarr. Later, NMSU went on an 8-0 run with baskets from Henderson, Harper, Peterson, and Donaldson. Donaldson continued with two three-pointers on two consecutive possessions.​​​ 

Still struggling to find their winning niche on the road the Aggies lost to Seattle U only a few days later 73-81 (OT). NM State will look to equalize soon however, facing the Redhawks again this afternoon on the home court of the Pan Am.