LAS VEGAS - NM State opened up its tournament title defense with a hard-fought win over the UMKC Roos in the first semifinal on Friday afternoon at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
The Aggies took control from the opening tip, shooting 50-percent in the first quarter and 46-percent in the second quarter to take a 32-25 lead into the halftime break. NMSU continued to build on the lead in the third quarter but a last-ditch UMKC effort in the fourth quarter kept the Aggies playing to the buzzer, taking a 71-63 win.
NM State was led by 21 points from WAC Player of the Year Moriah Mack. Tamera William, a Las Vegas native, finished with 18 points in the win. As a team, the Aggies shot 52.1-percent from the field, including 7-of-11 from behind the three-point arc.
UMKC was led by 23 points from Kristen Moore. Lyndsay Leikem earned the double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Roos brought down 20 offenive rebounds but converted those into just 12 second-chance points.