LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State women's basketball team is set to host the Western New Mexico Mustangs on Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. MT in the Pan American Center.
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SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS
The Western New Mexico Mustangs come into Saturday's game sitting at 4-7 overall and 0-4 in the Lone Star Conference. The opponent has dropped their last six contests with their most recent game ending in a 65-49 loss at Fort Lewis.
Over the first 11 game, the Mustangs have been led by senior guard Jordan Gutierrez who has averaged 16.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists to open the year. The team has also seen strong play from forward Jade Botelho who has averaged 10.5 points and 4.6 rebounds. As a team, Western New Mexico averages 60.7 points, 32.1 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game.
Monday's game will be the 12th meeting between New Mexico State and Western New Mexico as the Aggies hold a commanding 12-0 lead over the Mustangs. The two teams last squared off on Jan. 4, 2016 in the Pan American Center as NM State walked away with a 68-39 victory.
LEADING THE WAY
Heading towards the opening of Western Athletic Conference play, New Mexico State women's basketball proves to be ahead of the competition as they are in the top-three of 16 statistical categories.
The team's play is featured by leading the conference in seven fields over 13 games, including scoring defense (61.8 PPG), scoring margin (+4.9), field goal defense (.375 FG pct.), three-point field goal defense (.276 3FG pct.), rebounding offense (39.5), steals (10.5), turnover margin (+3.5) and defensive rebounds (26.2).
NM State also sits in second for scoring offense, averaging 66.7 points, assists with 13.8 and offensive rebounds at 13.3 per game.
FREEMAN NEARS THE 1,000 POINT THRESHOLD
Aggie senior forward
Brianna Freeman has 984 career points through 103 games for NM State. The Killeen, Texas native will become the 21st player to join the exclusive 1,000 point club in program history. Freeman will join former teammate
Sasha Weber (2012-16, 1,511) among the ranks of Aggies to reach the plateau. Through 13 games this season, the forward has averaged 7.2 points and dropped a season-high 16 at New Mexico on Nov. 15.
LAST TIME OUT FOR THE AGGIES
Before the holiday break, the Aggies traveled to Las Vegas, Nev. to take part in the Play4Kay Shootout, Dec. 19-21. A strong field led by tournament winner and last year's Final Four participant, Oregon State, saw the Aggies drop their three contests.
The first game pit the team against the Quinnipiac Bobcats in which the Aggies lost, 49-46. Less than 24 hours later, NM State squared off against the hometown favorite UNLV Rebels in a game which saw the team drop one in heartbreaking fashion in the final minute of play, 52-47. The tournament closed out against Santa Clara on Dec. 21 as the Aggies fell to a final score of 60-46.
WHO'S UP NEXT?
After the contest with Western New Mexico to close out 2016, the Aggies will not take the floor again until Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. MT in the Pan American Center against the UMKC Roos. This will be the beginning of conference play for NM State.
