OREM, Utah – The New Mexico State women's basketball team closed out a two-game road swing at Utah Valley University in Lockhart Arena on Saturday. A lights out shooting first quarter gave the Aggies an early lead, which helped the team take down the Wolverines 82-72.
 
NM State (10-9, 4-1 WAC) came out flying in the first quarter, after winning the tip and scoring the first basket the Aggies would not give up a lead over Utah Valley (9-11, 3-2 WAC) for the rest of the night.
 
A great shooting opening frame featured the Aggies going 7-for-7 from three-point range and 7-for-7 from the line. The impressive numbers saw NM State close the opening quarter on a 20-3 run and lead UVU 30-10 through 10 minutes of play.
 
Impressive shooting continued in the next quarter, but the Wolverines also found the touch to keep the scoring close. NM State did not miss its first shot from downtown until the 3:09 mark of the second quarter, knocking down its first nine attempts.
 
A 20-19 second quarter in favor of the Wolverines saw the Aggies end the first half up 49-30. Brooke Salas led the way with 17 points, followed by Gia Pack with 14. The two NM State guards combined to go 6-for-6 from three-point range through 20 minutes.  
 
The second half began with aggressive play from the Wolverines who looked to close in on the Aggies 19-point lead. This play saw UVU go on an 11-2 run forcing NM State to call a timeout still leading 55-42 with 4:53 remaining.
 
After the stoppage in play, Jeneva Toilolo came out and knocked down a basket followed by a made shot from the free-throw line to end the Wolverines run. NM State closed the third ahead of Utah Valley 64-49.
 
NM State did not let up in the fourth quarter, squandering any hopes of a comeback for Utah Valley. A Wolverine timeout at the 3:58 mark saw the opponent close in but the Aggies held on to a double-digit lead and won 82-72.
 
Play for the Aggies was led by Pack who finished with a team-high 25 points, followed by Salas with 22 and Jasmine Cooper also finished in double-digits with 11. On top of the high-scoring night, Pack and Salas were also able to lead the Aggies in rebounds with seven apiece.
 
New Mexico State returns home for the next game against the UMKC Roos on Jan. 27, at 12 p.m. MT in the Pan American Center.