Men's Basketball | 2/13/2015 12:42:00 AM
FEB. 13 - WOMEN'S BASKETBALL vs COLORADO MESA: LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO
FEB. 13 - MEN'S BASKETBALL vs COLORADO MESA: LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO
FEB. 14 - WOMEN'S BASKETBALL vs WESTERN STATE: LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO
FEB. 14 - MEN'S BASKETBALL vs WESTERN STATE: LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO
LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The New Mexico Highlands basketball teams will conclude the 2014-2015 home schedule this weekend when they host Colorado Mesa Friday (Feb. 13) and Western State Saturday (Feb. 14) at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Coming to You Live Courtesy of Proview Networks on Comcast Cable in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Saturday's game against Western State will be brought to you live on channel 26.
Play for Kay! Friday night will be the Pink Game where players will wear pink to raise awareness for cancer, in particular breast cancer research. There will also be a 50-50 raffle by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and you must be present to win.
Kay Yow coached the NC State women's basketball team from 1975-2009 and had a career record of 737-344. She was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 and despite this, led the US Olympic Women's Basketball Team to a gold medal in 1998 in Seoul, South Korea.
After her 1987 breast cancer diagnosis, Yow became active in raising awareness as well as money to battle the disease. In 2007, the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund was instituted by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association and the V Foundation for Cancer Research, of which she served on the board of directors. Her cancer recurred in November 2004.
Just the fifth women's basketball coach to be inducted into the Naismith College Basketball Hall of Fame, she succumbed to cancer in January 2009.
Thank You Faculty and Staff! Besides senior night on Saturday (Feb. 14) against Western State, all New Mexico Highlands University employees get in free with an ID, but also get a free popcorn and fountain drink.
The night is sponsored by State Farm and Rosemarie Montoya. State Farm in Las Vegas is located at 624 University Ave, Suite 200. Call Rosemarie today at (505) 425-6421 for all your insurance needs! State Farm is a proud sponsor of Highlands athletics.
Celebrating our Seniors! It will be the final home games this weekend for nine individuals in the New Mexico Highlands basketball program.
Guard
Katie Gannon (Glendora, California / Glendora HS) played for the Cowgirls women's basketball team in 2010-12 and 2013-15 and has played in 52 games with three starts. She has scored 156 points and grabbed 31 rebounds. She scored a career-high 20 points and against CSU-Pueblo on Jan. 27, 2012. She is successful off the court as well as she was named to the RMAC Academic All-Conference Honor Roll.
"Katie is the consummate teammate; always there with a word of encouragement or a high-five. She has been in this program for four years and has been a true example of what cowgirl basketball is all about," head coach
Brianna Finch said.
Post
Emma Hart (Los Lunas, N.M. / University of Scranton) redshirted the last two seasons before playing in 21 games in 2014-15. Her three starts have all come in the last four games, with her only non-start have resulted in career highs in both rebounds (11) and points (five). For her career, she has 35 points and 50 rebounds.
"Emma has persevered and overcome so much in her basketball career, and I am just happy to see her have the opportunity she has had this year," Finch said. "I have truly enjoyed coaching her and look forward to watching her pursue her career in medicine and continue to help people."
Guard
Eboni Jacobs (Moreno Valley, California / San Bernardino HS) has played in 43 games the last three seasons with 203 points and 69 rebounds for the year.
"I am really glad that Eboni chose to be a part of our program this season and that I have had the opportunity to coach her and watch her grow over the course of the year. She has been a huge spark for our team, and has been an important part of the Highlands community during her four years here."
Second on the team in scoring her first year with the Cowgirls, guard
Jenny Johnson (Tualatin, Ore. / Clackamas CC) is currently second on the team in scoring this season. She has amassed more than 500 points and 125 rebounds in her career, nearly missing the triple-double with 16 points, eight assist and seven rebounds last year at Chadron State. She scored a career high 25 last year against Western State and has 27 games of double-digit scoring.
"Jenny is a true competitor and was voted team captain for us this season. She has been an instrumental part of the program during her two years at Highlands, and I am glad that I have had the opportunity to coach her this season and watch her grow as a basketball player and as a leader," Finch said.
Guard
Kristy Marquez (El Paso, Texas / University of Southwest) redshirted for the 2011-2012 season and has played in 16 games, amassing 45 points and 25 rebounds. She had a career-best 14 points in the win against Adams State last weekend with a season high of 25 minutes.
"Kristy began her basketball career at Highlands and I am glad that she will have the opportunity to finish it here as well," Finch stated. "It has been a pleasure to have Kristy back this year, and I am glad that I have had the chance to coach her this season."
Guard
Claudia Meneses (Las Vegas, Nev. / Victor Valley College) was a solid contributor last season, but has played in 20 games this season with 13 starts. Playing in 43 games for her career, Meneses has scored more than 250 points and grabbed more than 200 rebounds. She had a career high 18 points earlier this season at Colorado Mesa and grabbed 14 boards at Western State. In her last outing, a win against Adams State, she had her second career double-double after recording one last season at Western New Mexico.
"Claudia's passion for the game of basketball shines through every time she steps on the floor. I have truly enjoyed coaching Claudia and getting to know her both as a player, and as a person. I look forward to watching her continue to share her passion with the world as she pursues a career helping people," Finch said.
Finally, guard
Anngelina Sanchez has had a breakout season this year after 90 points in 23 games last season. With only two double-digit scoring games in her first season, she burst onto the scene with a career high 25 points against Southern Utah earlier this season. She has reached double-digit scoring in 52 career games and has started all 19 games this season. She was also named to the Academic All-Conference Honor Roll team.
"Anng has come out and had a breakthrough senior year; she has embraced her role on the team this season and it has been fun to watch," Finch said. I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to coach her for this season and to watch her grow as a basketball player, and as a team captain."
For the men, guard
Luis Rodriguez-Quintana (Parral, Mexico / Santa Teresa HS) has scored more than 60 points and pulled down more than 20 rebounds. He had a stretch in the 2013-2014 season where he scored double digits in three of four games, including 17 points at UC-Colorado Springs Dec. 20, 2013.
Guard
Drew Herig (Albuquerque, N.M. / Lamar CC) is playing his only season with the Cowboys this year and has appeared in six games with six points and four rebounds. He hit his only attempt and grabbed a pair of rebounds in the 23 point win against rival Western New Mexico earlier this season.
"Luis and Drew both have represented Highlands very well both on and off the floor. I am excited about their futures after Highlands as I know both are headed for great things! They will always be a part of the Cowboys family!" head coach
Craig Snow said.
Scouting Colorado Mesa Women Colorado Mesa (17-4, 14-3 RMAC), who sits third in the region and is receiving votes both in the USA Today and D2SIDA media poll, looks to continue its hold on the top spot in the conference.
Before the new year, Colorado Mesa beat the Cowgirls in Grand Junction, 83-55.
To read more about that game, click
here. The Mavericks are not an offensive juggernaut (67.4 points per game, 135th in the nation), but they have a stifling defense that holds teams under 60 points (59.1 points per game). They do not shoot the ball well, but hold opponents to only 36.6 percent shooting (41st in the nation). However, Colorado Mesa averages more turnovers per game than its opponents and are in the bottom half in the nation in three-point field goal percentage defense. Conversely, the Cowgirls are 70th in the nation by hitting 34.4 percent of their threes.
Erin Reichle is adept at shooting it from anywhere. She is 36th in the nation with 18.8 points per game, but is also fourth in the nation at just shy of 3.3 threes per game. The Cowgirls cannot put her on the line as she is fourth in the nation by hitting almost 92 percent from the charity stripe.
Leanndra Gilbert adds eight rebounds per game.
Scouting Western State Women The Cowgirls will be out for a little revenge as Western State (4-17, 3-14) won the first meeting in double overtime.
To read more about the first meeting with Western State, click
here. The Mountaineers are near the bottom of the conference in nearly every statistical category in the country, but are 149th with 26 defensive rebounds per game.
Jade McIntosh is the go to player for Western State as she leads the team in points (12.7) rebounds (6.3) and assists (1.4) per game.
Scouting Colorado Mesa Men After only a 3-3 record in its last six games, Colorado Mesa (16-7, 11-6 RMAC) is looking to keep pace in its quest to make the 2015 Conference Basketball Tournament. The Mavericks won the first meeting of the season with the Cowboys.
To read more about the first Colorado Mesa-Highlands game, click
here. While the Mavericks are not particularly high scoring (75.6) or overwhelm you with defense (69.7 points per game), they pass the ball well. They are 24th in the country with 16.7 assists per game and are 19th with a 1.41 assist to turnover ratio. If you like three pointers, Friday night is the game for you. The Cowboys are 65th in the country with 491 shots from beyond the arc this season while Colorado Mesa has attempted 530 (34th) and have made 211 of them.
With many of the nation's top scorers residing in the RMAC, Ryan Stephan is quietly third in the nation with 25.1 points per game, hitting 57.9 percent of his shots. If that was not enough, he contributes eight boards per game.
Scouting Western State Men The Cowboys will look to complete the sweep for the second straight season and their fifth consecutive win overall against the Mountaineers when Western State (3-18, 2-15) comes to town. However, it should be noted both wins last season included a pair of overtimes and a margin of only three points.
To read more about the season's first meeting, click
here. Western State is near the bottom of the NCAA in most statistical categories, but it is a must for the Cowboys to stay out of foul trouble. The Mountaineers are 61st in the nation with 368 made free throws this season.
Mason Biddle leads a trio of Mountaineers with double-digit scoring as he has 18.4 points per game. Danny Hopkins adds 12.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.
Next Up Highlands basketball finishes the season with three straight on the road, beginning with a trip to Denver to take on Colorado School of Mines and Colorado Christian next weekend (Feb. 20-21).
