LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Gamecocks women's basketball falls 66-47 at New Mexico State Thursday night. The Aggies and Gamecocks were playing a tight game until a late run by NMSU helped them to the win. The Gamecocks were doomed by poor free throw shooting and 16 turnovers in the road loss.
Jax State falls to 10-15 overall and 4-10 in Conference USA play, while New Mexico State improves to 14-12 and 7-6 in league play.
The Gamecocks were led by
Clara Gonzalez Planella who poured in 16 points on 40% shooting. Planella also grabbed four rebounds.
Samiya Steele joined Planella in double-figures with 10 points on 4-8 shooting and 2-3 makes from three-point land.
Asia Barclay led the Gamecocks in rebounds pulling down eight.
New Mexico State jumped out to an early 4-0 lead before a Jax State timeout was called at the 9:26 mark in the first. Out of the timeout, the Red-and-White was able to eventually jump in front 11-8 thanks to a Planella three. The Aggies got back in front 17-15 before going on a 7-0 run to make it 24-15 late in the opening period. Steele hit a three to make it 24-18 heading into the second quarter.
In the second quarter,
Valentina Saric made it a three-point Aggies lead thanks to a driving layup and made free throw with 8:10 on the clock.
Bre'Anna Rhodes cut it to 26-25 thanks to a jumper with 7:48 in the second. The Aggies went on a 9-0 run late in the period to make it 37-29 with just under two minutes left in the first half.
Eden Sample made a layup with 1:22 to make it 37-31 Aggies. That score held as the two teams headed into halftime.
Out of the break, the Aggies quickly jumped out to a 42-31 lead before a Jax State timeout with 8:36 on the clock in the third. Jax State went on a quick 5-0 run to make it 42-36 following a Steele three pointer. Later in the period, Jax State made it a 10-point deficit out of the third quarter media timeout. Planella drained a nearly half-court three pointer as the buzzer sounded at the end of the third to make it 51-45 as the game headed to the final 10 minutes.
The Aggies stymied the Gamecocks in the final period as they only allowed two points on two Sample free throws with 3:28 remaining in the game. NMSU closed the game on an 8-0 run.
Jax State moves on to play at UTEP on Saturday at 2 p.m. central, 1 p.m. mountain time. The game between Jax State and the Miners will be streaming on ESPN+.
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