LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- The New Mexico Highlands women's basketball team looks to take another step forward as a program as the Cowgirls open the season at the Lonestar/RMAC challenge in Portales, New Mexico, 6:30 p.m. Friday against Eastern New Mexico.
NMHU is coming off a 4-23 season in 2017-18, including 2-20 in RMAC play. The Cowgirls return six players (four starters) from that team while adding three new faces (though one is out for the season with an injury).
Five-foot-10 junior
Ari Baca is the team's leading scorer from a year ago and returns after averaging 11.6 points per game to go along with 4.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists. She shot 44.9 percent from the field, including 32.7 percent from 3-point range, and 78.6 percent from the free-throw line (making a team-high 81 free throws).
Brianna Stewart, a 5-10 junior, was second on the team in scoring last season at 8.6 points per contest while grabbing 3.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 assists. The team's third-leading scorer from a season ago
Allyah George also returns as the 5-foot-11 senior averaged 7.7 points and led the team at 5.0 rebounds per contest as well as leading the team in steals (35) and blocks (14). Another starter returning is
Amari Terry as the 5-foot-3 senior averaged 4.2 points, a team-best 2.3 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game.
NMHU returns two players who saw time off the bench last season as well in 5-foot-8 sophomore guard
DeAvion Allen (3.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and 5-foot-6 sophomore guard
Kish Chandler (1.5 ppg).
Three newcomers have been added to the roster in Fort Lewis transfer and 5-foot-8 sophomore
Jordyn Lewis, 5-foot-4 sophomore
Alisson Hill and Southeastern transfer and 5-foot-10 junior
Wati Franklin – though Franklin suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason.
After Friday's season opener, the Cowgirls take on Western New Mexico in Portales 5:30 p.m. Saturday then travel to Hobbs, New Mexico, to take on University of the Southwest. NMHU plays its home opener Nov. 17 against USW at 2 p.m. at Wilson Complex.
