-and-
Loss adds to Aggies three-game losing streak.
Source: NMSU Athletics
Photo: Courtesy
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The New Mexico State Aggies closed out this week’s travel trip against Jax State in the Pete Mathews Coliseum. Though the Aggies were able to hang with the Gamecocks till the very end, they would fall to JSU 56-60.
In the first quarter, both teams struggled to score overall as each shot less than 40% to wrap up the period. The Aggies took an early lead in the game with a 4-0 run by Fanta Gassama. Gassama finished today with her fifth double-double for the season (18 points and 10 rebounds). A pair of 3-pointers for NM State by Molly Kaiser and Sylena Peterson would give the Aggies a four-point cushion halfway through the first, and they forced Jax State to score its lowest number of points in the first quarter this season at eight.
Though the Aggies continued to stretch their lead over the Gamecocks by the 4:52 mark in the first half, they would find themselves on a drought for a little over two minutes shortly after. During that time, JSU was able to take advantage against NM State as they went on an 11-2 run to put themselves back in the game. With a 4-0 run at the 1:04 mark for the Gamecocks, Jax State would sit behind the Aggies by just two points heading into the locker room.
JSU went on yet another major run as it began the third period of play. This run allowed the Gamecocks to take their first lead back since the first minute of play. Gassama and Kaiser combined for nine points in the third quarter to score 75% of the field goals for the Aggies. NM State would head into the final minutes of the game trailing by two to Jax State.
Just the same as thursday’s matchup, the battle between these two squads became a nailbiter all the way up until the very end of the game. With every moment that the Aggies took to score and tie the game back up, JSU answered back to put their team just a tad bit over the Aggies. Kaiser helped carry the team to the finish as she flushed another eight points to keep the Aggies’ hopes alive. A turnover with a minute left to play gave the Gamecocks the opportunity to put the game away for good. A final free throw from JSU’s Samiya Steele sealed a four-point win over the Aggies.
NUMBERS OF NOTE:
–Fanta Gassama has notched five double doubles this season.
–Molly Kaiser is just eight points from moving up to sixth on the all-time Aggies scoring list.
-JSU was only able to finish 25% at the charity stripe in the final quarter.
-NM State was one free throw away from shooting a perfect 12-for-12 at the line.
-and-
UP NEXT:
The Aggies will travel back home and look to host Middle Tennessee in the Pan American Center this upcoming week on Thursday, January 30th at 6:00 PM MST.
For complete coverage of NM State Women’s Basketball, follow us on Twitter (@NMStateWBB), Instagram (@NMStateWBB) and like us on Facebook (NM State Women’s Basketball). You can also follow along with Aggie Women’s Basketball via NMStateSports.com.
