The NMHU Cowgirls won their first exhibition game of the season 134-63, against the Mustangs of the University of the Southwest, on 10/24, at Wilson Complex. The Cowgirls controlled the game from the start, going on an 11-0 run in the first two and a half minutes of the game. The Mustangs closed to within five points in the first half but the Cowgirls took a 30 point lead into the half. The Cowgirls continued the pressure in the second half and led by as much as 72 points in the game. When the final buzzer had sounded the final score was 134-63, giving the Cowgirls, led by Head Coach Tiffany Darling, their first victory of the year.
Domonique Rivera was the leading scorer for the Cowgirls with 33 points. Rivera was 13-15 from the field, 2-4 from the free throw line and shot an outstanding 5-5 from three point range. She would also add four rebounds and two assists in her 21 minutes on the court. Junior College transfer
Ashley Zaragoza had a solid game from the post with 17 points and nine rebounds in her 16 minutes of playing time. Cowgirls star point guard
Whitley Coca completed a double-double in her 18 minutes on the court. Coca went 5-8 from the field, with 12 assists and five steals.
The Cowgirls jumped to an early 11-0 lead in the first two and a half minutes of the game. The Mustangs fought back and cut the lead to five points with 13:58 remaining in the first half. Both teams were exchanging shots up and down the court until the Cowgirls began to pull away. At the 10:25 mark,
Whitley Coca stole the ball and threw a pass forward to Dominique Rivera who made the easy layup giving the Cowgirls a 22 point lead. The Mustangs cut the lead to 18 with 6:48 remaining in the half, but he Cowgirls offense was on fire and they began to extend their lead. When the halftime buzzer sounded, the Cowgirls had a comfortable 30 point lead with the score of 70-40.
The Cowgirls began the second half with another 11 point run extending their lead to 41 points in the game. The Mustangs were outplayed by the well prepared Cowgirls team and they saw the lead begin to increase in the second half. Sophomore
Katie Gannon hit a three pointer with 13:02 remaining and the score was 100-45, extending the Cowgirls lead to 55 points. The Cowgirls continued to pour on the pressure, and when the final buzzer sounded they had secured the 71 point victory by the final score of 134-63.
The NMHU women's basketball team will travel to Las Cruces, N.M., on 10/31, to play their next exhibition game against NCAA DI New Mexico State University. The Cowgirls will visit the Pan American Center to take on an Aggies team that is ranked sixth in the WAC pre-season poll. Stay tuned to the
NMHU Athletics Website for information on live coverage and game stats for the exhibition contest against NMSU.
GO COWGIRLS!!!
