NM State women's home winning streak ends with loss to Utah Valley

LAS CRUCES – The Aggies struggled offensively as Utah Valley secured a 66-32 win to put an end to NM State's six-game home win streak.
 
NM State was led in the scoring column by Bigue Sarr who finished with six points while also adding eight rebounds. Utah Valley has had the Aggies' number as of late as this also marked the first time the Aggies had zero scorers reach double digits since the Wolverines held the Aggie scorers in check on Feb. 20, 2021. Tayelin Grays led the way with nine boards in addition to her four points.
 
The Wolverines finished with three scorers in double digits as Madison Grange posted 13 and Josie Williams and Maria Carvalho each scored 12. Williams also collected 12 boards to record a double-double.
 
FIRST QUARTER
· Utah Valley's Kayla Anderson put the first points on the board as she knocked down a three-pointer off an assist from Madison Grange on the opening possession of the game.
· Anderson's three was the start to a 7-0 run to kick off the contest as Maria Carvalho and Tahlia White each scored to put the Aggies in a hole early.
· The first Aggie points came at the 5:49 mark when Jade Bradley fed Bigue Sarr in the post where she finished a layup to get the Aggies on the board.
· Sarr was one of only two NM State scorers in the first half as the Aggies were limited to six points on 3-of-16 from the field.
· Molly Kaiser was the other Aggie to connect on an attempt when she scored on a pull up jumper at the 1:59 mark.
· Following Kaiser's points, the Wolverines wrapped up the quarter on a 6-0 run to put the Aggies behind, 6-17, after one.
 
SECOND QUARTER
• There seemed to be a lid on the basket as the 6-0 run from the first quarter extended into a 20-0 run to create a steep climb for the Aggies moving forward as they trailed, 6-31, with 3:46 remaining in the quarter.
• The Aggies, who have now played three games in just six days, were 0-12 from the field during the Wolverine scoring run.
• NM State finally stopped the bleeding when Bigue Sarr hit a jumper at the 3:35 mark and then Mel Isbell found open space and scored to turn in four straight for the home side to move the Aggies into double digits in scoring.
· To close the quarter, the Aggies were left in trail position as they were behind by a score of 12-35.
 
THIRD QUARTER
• After struggling in the opening period, the Aggies came out swinging to start the third as Jade Bradley and Tayelin Grays combined to lead NM State on 7-0 run after UVU's Anderson scored the first points of the third.
• Utah Valley then rattled off five points before Deja Terrell got into the scoring column with a jumper from the elbow to put the Aggies down 21-42 with 3:28 left to play in the third.
• In total, the Aggies entered the fourth quarter after holding Utah Valley to 38 percent shooting in the third quarter while also not allowing any Wolverines' three-pointers.
 
FOURTH QUARTER
• The final quarter also began with a UVU made jumper before Taylor Donaldson got into the scoring action after drawing a shooting foul and splitting a pair from the free-throw line.
• Utah Valley's Josie Williams then hit two from the free-throw line to jump start a 9-2 run near the beginning of the final quarter, giving the Wolverines a 59-26 lead with just under five minutes to play.
• Shania Harper and Fama Thiam then played a solid two-man game as Harper knocked down a turnaround jumper to slightly cut into the lead at the 3:37 mark in the quarter
• The final Aggie points also came from the hands of Harper as she made a layup off a Sylena Peterson pass.
 
UP NEXT
• NM State's life does not get any easier as the Aggies now get set to host the WAC-leading Ladyjacks of Stephen F. Austin on Monday.
• The Valentine's Day meeting is scheduled to tip-off at 2 p.m. MT.