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Lucia Yenes tallies season-high 18 points, Jaila Harding finishes with 16.
Source: NMSU Athletics
By Louis Bolander
Photo By Emilio Garcia for NMSU: Courtesy
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Heading into a final weekend of action including a Senior Ceremony on Saturday, NM State (16-14, 9-8 CUSA) played host to LA Tech (14-14, 7-7 CUSA) on Thursday night. Defeating the Lady Techsters, the Aggies have clinched a 4th seed spot in the Conference USA Tournament next week. The senior class paved the way for the Crimson & White, scoring 69 of the season-high 87 points. Molly career-high 35, lucia season high 18, jaila 16 with four 3PM.
Jaila Harding made a point to be aggressive early in the contest, putting up eight points in the first five minutes of the contest, along with grabbing a pair of offensive rebounds to extend possessions for the Aggies. NM State’s seniors led the way in the opening frame, with Harding, Molly Kaiser and Fanta Gassama scoring all 22 points to give the Crimson & White a 22-16 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
Loes Rozing began the second stanza with the fourth made triple of the night for NM State, shortly followed by Lucia Yenes scoring back-to-back baskets, part of her nine-point second quarter to give the Aggies their largest lead of the first half, 29-16. The Aggies extended their lead behind a strong inside presence from Yenes, who capitalized on second-chance opportunities. Kaiser continued to attack, hitting tough jumpers, while Harding stayed hot from beyond the arc. Despite a push from LA Tech, NM State held firm, taking a 38-31 advantage into halftime.
The Lady Techsters fought back, cutting into the lead with efficient shooting. NM State countered with Kaiser’s relentless scoring and a key defensive presence from Gassama. The Aggies struggled from three but made up for it with their ability to get to the free-throw line. Yenes provided a key boost once again, helping NM State maintain a 54-48 lead entering the fourth.
In a high-scoring final frame, Kaiser took over, scoring at will and knocking down clutch free throws. Harding added a huge three-pointer, while Yenes remained steady in the paint. LA Tech made a late push, but NM State’s composure at the line sealed the win. The Aggies’ 33-point fourth quarter secured the 87-80 victory, closing out a strong home performance.
NUMBERS OF NOTE:
–Molly Kaiser capped the Aggies’ victory tying her career high in points, putting up 35 points on 14-20 shooting – while also recording
-Finishing with 18 points on the night, Lucia Yenes recorded a new season-high, surpassing her previous best of 16 points set against WKU on March 1. Similarly, Yenes recorded three steals on Thursday, her second-most in a single game this season behind a career-high five steals in last Saturday’s game against WKU. This becomes Yenes’ first time scoring double-digits in back-to-back games this season.
-This was the 16th recorded 20+ point game of the season for Molly Kaiser and the sixth 30+ point game this season. She also produced career-high in FT made and FT attempted, ties career-high FG made.
-NM State forced the Lady Techsters into 20 turnovers, scoring 17 points off the giveaways. This is the 10th time the Aggie defense has forced an opponent into 20+ TO’s.
UP NEXT:
The Aggies will cross state line to face Western Kentucky once again. After securing a marginal victory against the Hilltoppers at the Pan American Center last month, the Aggies will look to take hold of their third conference sweep this season. The Matchup will take place on Saturday, in the E.A. Diddle Arena, at 1:00 PM MST and be live-streamed on ESPN+.
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