LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Soufia Inoussa scored a career-high 20 points, with a 4-4 performance from three, but the New Mexico State women's basketball team dropped a thrilling 80-76 decision in the Battle of I-10 at the Don Haskins Center on Wednesday afternoon in the season-opener for both teams.
 
After the Aggies raced out to a 4-0 lead on back-to-back buckets from Aaliyah Prince, the Miners took a 7-4 lead at the 5:10 mark. UTEP then finished the quarter on a 13-5 run to take a 17-12 lead into the second quarter. The Miners were able to extend their lead in the second quarter to eight points, 26-18, at the 5:49 mark.
 
However, a three from Inoussa sparked a 15-7 Aggie run to end the half tied at 33. Prince scored 10 points in the first half while Adrianna Henderson scored eight and Inoussa added seven. NM State shot 48.1-percent from the floor in the first half.
 
The third quarter was back-and-forth with the Aggies leading by one 53-52, entering the fourth. NM State's defense held UTEP to just 28.6-percent shooting in quarter but the Miners sank 10 free throws in 16 attempts.
 
Inoussa started the fourth quarter with a layup and a three-pointer to stretch the Aggie lead to 58-54 at the 6:52 mark of the fourth quarter. After buckets from Rodrea Echols and Inoussa, Kalei Atkinson scored four-straight points to make it an eight-point game, 66-58, with 3:17 to play. However, the Miners ended the game on a 10-2 run to force overtime at 68 points each.
 
Atkinson scored the first points of the overtime period but UTEP quickly took a 75-70 lead with 1:55 to play. A lay-in from Jade Bradley and a steal-and-score from Prince made it a one-point game, 75-74, at the 1:27 mark. Although, that was the closest the Aggies would get as UTEP closed strong for an 80-76 final score.
 
Along with Inoussa, three other Aggies scored in double-figures with Atkinson scoring 16 while Prince and Henderson each scored 12. NM State shot 43.8-percent from the floor including 6-13 (46.2) from three. UTEP shot 41.3-percent but outrebounded the Aggies 44-33.
 
The Aggies now turn their attention to a Saturday date with Park University Gilbert (NAIA) in Tucson, Ariz., on Saturday, Nov. 28, at 12 p.m. (MT). No fans will be allowed at that game.