El PASO, Texas – The Aggies faced off with UTEP art the Don Haskins Center in the second I-10 rivalry matchup this season. Though the Miners were able to hang with NM State in the first few possessions of play, the Aggies would ultimately run away with the game to grab hold of their fifth conference victory this season, 85-60.
 
Following a back-and-forth battle that spanned the first three minutes of action, a Molly Kaiser fastbreak layup through contact would help kickstart an 11-5 run to give the Aggies an early seven-point lead. A three-pointer from the corner for reigning Conference USA Freshman of the Week Madi Gewirtz capped off this stretch and served as one of three 3-pointers for the Crimson and White during the opening 10 minutes. However, UTEP would close the period on a 4-0 run to make the Aggie lead just three points entering the second quarter.
 
The Miners would cut the margin to one point on their first possession of the second frame before a pair of threes from sharpshooter Jaila Harding highlighted an 8-0 run for the Aggies, giving the visitors a 26-17 lead with just under eight minutes to play in the first half. Later, a mid-range jump shot for Kaiser would give the Aggies their largest lead of the first half (12). This jumper for the grad student from Watauga, Texas, would come as part of a 13-point first half.
 
Ultimately, Kaiser would lead the Aggies in scoring, but 29 points from her supporting cast would allow the Aggies to take a 42-29 lead into the locker room at halftime. This first-half scoring outburst was fueled by nine points from Harding, eight points from Fanta Gassama and six points from Sylena Peterson as the Aggies finished the first half shooting 60% (18-30) from the floor.
In the first half, UTEP also received a strong contribution from its star Ivane Tensaie who ended the second quarter 5-of-6 from the floor and 14 points. However, Tensaie's teammates pitched in just 15 points.
 
With the Aggie lead at 11 points and 6:33 left in the third quarter, the Aggies produced their biggest scoring run of the game as six straight points from Lucia Yenes came as part of an 11-0 run. This would push the NM State advantage to 22 points with just over three minutes to play in the quarter. After out-scoring the Miners 24-14 in the second quarter, NM State would outscore its opponent 22-11 in the third quarter to push the lead to 24 points entering the final 10 minutes.
 
Five points from Kaiser helped the Aggies open the fourth quarter on a 9-5 run that extended the lead to 28 points which marked the largest of the afternoon. Imani Warren, Emma Dasovich, and Fanta Gassama combined for 7 rebounds in the final minutes of play to secure their lead over the Miners and take the win.
 
NUMBERS OF NOTE
·       The Aggies' first-half scoring total of 42 points marked the second most points they have scored in the first half against a Division I opponent this season - only scoring more in an 85-63 win over Utah Tech in the second game of the season.
·       The 25-point win for the Aggies marks the largest margin of victory for either side since the 2013-14 season. This also marks the largest margin of victory for the Aggies since a 29-point win on Dec. 7, 1999. Additionally, the 25-point win is the second-largest margin in program history in El Paso - second only to a 79-50 win in 1990.
·       Kaiser finished 6-for-8 at the line to add to her 30-point game against UTEP.
·       Sylena went perfect 5-for-5 in attempted field goals, including her two made baskets behind the arc.
·       Three separate players (Kaiser, Harding, and Peterson) scored in double-figures over the UTEP Miners.
·       The Aggies held the Miners to 0%  out of five attempts from the perimeter in the third quarter of the game.
 
UP NEXT
The Aggies will now prepare for its longest road trip of the season as they visit Liberty on Thursday, Feb. 13, before traveling to Miami to battle with FIU on Saturday, Feb. 15. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
 
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