LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Conference USA's best defense will be back in action on Tuesday in the Pan American Center. NM State is poised to welcome in-state foe Western New Mexico to its home floor as they look to snap a two-game losing skid. Seven days prior, the Aggies narrowly fell to UC Irvine, suffering a 61-55 defeat. They now turn their attention to the Mustangs of Silver City, who reside just 115 miles away. Western NM will be logging the matchup as an exhibition. However, the game will count towards the Aggies' record, which currently stands at 4-4.
How to Follow
Who: Western NM at NM State
Where: Pan American Center - Las Cruces, N.M.
When: Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023 at 5:00 PM MT
Live Stream: ESPN+
Live Statistics: NM State StatBroadcast
All-Time Series Record: NM State 16-0
Where the Aggies Stand
The strength of the 2023-24 unit has, without a doubt, been its defensive prowess. Jody Adams' squad is holding opponents to a 23.6 opponent 3-point percentage - good for the best mark in the conference and 23rd-best in the nation.
The season began with two losses to Arizona and UTSA, before NM State rattled off four straight wins that included three away from home. Since returning to the Land of Enchantment, the Aggies have lost two in a row, falling to UNM on the road and UC Irvine at home. The team will look to spark a new winning streak against the Mustangs, who they have beaten in all 16 previous meetings. WNMU is the only non-Division I opponent on the Aggies' 2023-24 schedule.
Senior guard Molly Kaiser has taken her offense to the next level, averaging a career-high 14.0 points per game, and shooting 50.0% on 20 attempts from beyond the arc this season. Additionally, Kaiser has knocked down 16 of her 18 free throws this year (88.9%).
Texas transfer Femme Sikuzani Masudi made her debut in last Tuesday's game versus UC Irvine. The graduate transfer center was a perfect 7-7 from the free-throw line, and grabbed five rebounds to go along with her 13 points.
Scouting the Mustangs
WNMU is led by Head Coach Josh Pace in his fourth season at the helm. Since taking over, Pace has led the program to a 23-38 record, but has had more success early on in 2023-24. WNMU got out to a hot 6-0 start this go around, but have dropped its last two matchups. The Mustangs have lost each of their last two games by 20-plus points, falling to 6-2.
The Mustangs' offense is usually generated from Sydney Wright. The senior guard has appeared in the starting lineup all eight times, and makes the most of her team-high 28.0 minutes per game. Wright is the only Mustang to average over 10 points per game (10.3), has made 30.0% of her team-high 40 3-point attempts this season and has taken 20 more shots than any of her teammates. Wright posted double-digit scoring performances in five of her first six outings, but has been held to five points in each of the team's most recent two losses.
Diamond Moore has joined Wright in all eight starting lineups, and averages 19.5 minutes per contest. While out on the floor, she has racked up solid production across the board, including a team-high 6.9 rebounds and 8.0 points on 51.0% shooting from the field. Her 16 total offensive rebounds are also the best among any Mustang this season.
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