ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — Utah State women's basketball (3-12, 0-4 MW) dropped a hard-fought battle to New Mexico, as a comeback fell just short in a 71-67 loss at The Pit in Albuquerque.
In a game in which the Aggies overcame a 14-point second-half deficit and held a lead with under two minutes remaining, Utah State's efforts fell just short despite a big defensive effort.
After entering the second quarter with a 16-10 deficit, Utah State came out firing, stringing together an 8-0 run to take its first lead since the first points of the game. The Aggie defense dominated the quarter, as they allowed New Mexico to make just two of their final 16 shots of the half, using a 17-9 advantage in the stanza to take a 27-25 lead into the break.
After shooting just 21.3 percent (10-of-47) from the floor and 20.0 percent (4-of-20) from deep in the first half, the Lobos caught early in the third quarter, using back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers to open the half on a 9-2 run and regain control. The Aggies saw the deficit get to as many as 14 points in the quarter, but closed the half on a 10-2 run to pull back within two possessions by the break, trailing 50-44.
The teams traded baskets to open the final quarter with New Mexico remaining in front, before a 10-1 Aggie run put USU back in front with just over two minutes remaining. From there, the teams exchanged layups before New Mexico scored a 3-pointer and a mid-range jumper on ensuing possessions to take a four-point lead with 41 seconds remaining. A free throw and a layup late by Utah State were not enough as the team fell just short of a comeback victory.
For the 12th time in 15 contests this season, it was junior guard
Cheyenne Stubbs leading the Utah State scoring efforts as she finished with 25 points. This was Stubbs' 12th time scoring in double-figures and fourth time scoring 20-plus this season. Along with her scoring efforts, Stubbs had five boards, four assists and a season-high-tying four steals.
Junior guard/forward
Samiana Suguturaga also had a strong outing for USU, scoring in double-figures for the second-straight game and the second time of her career as she finished with 11 points and eight boards, just one shy of tying a career-high. Freshman forward
Gracie Johnson led the Aggies on the glass with a career-high nine boards as the team won the rebounding battle 49-45. She also recorded eight points and five blocks.
Utah State finished the contest shooting 42.9 percent (24-of-56) from the floor, 31.3 percent (5-of-16) from 3-point range and 73.7 percent (14-of-19) at the charity stripe. New Mexico shot 32.5 percent (26-of-80) from the field, including 33.3 percent (11-of-33) from deep and 53.3 percent (8-of-15) from the free throw line.
The Lobos (11-5, 2-1 MW) were paced by Viane Cumber, who went for a team-high 21 points to go along with 11 rebounds.
Up Next
Utah State (3-12, 0-4 MW) now remains on the road as it travels to take on Fresno State on Saturday, Jan. 13, at 3 p.m. (MT). The game will be streamed on Mountain West Network, with links to the live stream and stats available on utahstateaggies.com.
Fans can follow USU women's basketball on Twitter, @USUWBasketball, on Instagram, @USUWBasketball, as well as on Facebook, at /USUWBB. Aggie fans can also follow Utah State Athletics on Twitter, @USUAthletics, on Instagram, @USUAthletics and on Facebook at /USUAthletics.
- USU -