Thursday, February 14, 2019

NM State Aggies vs GCU Lopes Women’s Basketball 2-9-19

 

This was scheduled to be a long day.  At least Ron was with me for it.  First up was a tasty, but quick lunch at Chik-fil-a.  Dessert came when we got to the Pan-Am Center and picked up free cookies for “Brookie Cookie” day.  I’m sure Brooke Salas loves to be called “Brookie.”  Some student association was handing out free pizza just outside one of the entrances as well.  While we were passing through the concourse, we saw the TV analyst coach chowing down on half a pizza in his hands. 

After we sat down, the PA started playing some old song from the 40’s I’d never heard before.  It was like some kind of rumba number.  It was really cool.  I wonder if we’ll hear it again.  The Roadrunner Review Band played a variation of the Aggie fight song when the team came in to warm up.  They also played Taylor Swift’s Trouble again.  They even sang out during the chorus.      

The girls didn’t seem to be suffering any ill effects from attending last night’s Softball game.  I noticed Gia Pack and Aaliyah Prince practicing with each other.  One would do some fancy dribble, and the other would have to repeat the move.  Today’s opponent, the GCU Lopes, came out.  They only brought nine players with them, but they looked pretty big.  In fact, #53 Sharon Miller looked a lot like she should be playing offensive tackle on a football team.  The team was wearing t-shirts and long-sleeve shirts instead of tank tops.  They did have some tight-looking purple sneakers on.

A really good crowd was forming, even early.  The little Razzle Dazzle Cheerleaders would be performing at the half.  One of my more agreeable co-workers and her family coincidentally sat down in front of us and I said “Hello.”  Some of the parents left at the half, but they stayed for the whole game.       

 First Quarter
The game started off well for the Aggies with a couple of steals right off the bat, including one for Brooke.  Gia took a bad fall on defense.  She came up limping, but was okay.  She didn’t have much of a choice on playing, they passed her the ball right away.  GCU was keeping up.  #12 Carla Balague scored three-straight layups in the lane off of some great passing. 

I noticed #5 Laura Piera on their team.  She was a pretty girl with long blonde hair.  She hit a couple of free throws after getting fouled, but I noticed the freshman from Spain seemed to be overmatched running the point.  This was my first indication that this wasn’t the same team I saw beating the Aggies in Phoenix last month (1-10-19).  I wish the game had been on the radio, so I could have heard the pregame.  I wonder if GCU was short-handed of some of their better players.

Brooke missed her first few shots until she hit a three off a Gia steal.  Stabresa McDaniel and Prince also hit three’s to make it 15-10 Aggies.  Gia got called for traveling on a couple of trips, but the next time down she ran right down the lane for a layup.  Brooke would score a last second layup to give the Aggies a 19-12 lead.

Second Quarter
Dino Dash!  The staff might have decided not to keep the large crowd waiting, suspecting they might be leaving early.  There were no fights this time between the “Dino-mite” contestants.  (I’m quoting.  I didn’t say it.)  Of course, it was still good for plenty of laughs.

The Aggies were using a high-pressure defense for the game and putting in lots of subs.  Obviously, they were trying to tire out the Lopes’ short bench.  GCU started taking some bad shots and the Aggies went up 23-14.  They took a timeout in the middle of two free throws by Prince.  During the extended TV break, Kalei Atkinson started chatting with one of the refs.  It might have been about shoes, since they were looking down.

The Aggie defense continued to be excellent.  At one point, Sharon Miller was double-teamed and attempted to pass the ball to a ref.  Adenike Aderinto got a steal and a pair of free throws.  Gia took another spill after getting another steal.  She hit the floor again going for a loose ball.  She’s tough and lucky.

With about two minutes left in the half, hundreds of little cheerleaders started lining up in the aisles.  They’d have to wait a few minutes as there was a lot of fouling that was slowing down the game.  Dominique Mills got a steal and free throws.  Both teams got a bit sloppy in the last minute.  Brooke got a rebound off a miss and a stickback for another last second bucket.  It was 37-18 at the half.  This was not what I expected for this game.

Halftime
The Razzle Dazzle Cheerleaders came out on to the court.  These little girls boosted today’s attendance by 400 just by themselves.  Parents all over the arena got out their phones to record the performance.  Other than them being cute, my only comment is that their coaches were pretty hot.  They reminded me of that woman that’s the Aggie Cheerleaders’ coach.

Third Quarter
Monique Mills popped a three right at the beginning of the quarter.  The last meeting between these two teams, the Aggies had zero three’s.  They’d finish this game with six.  However, they collected three quick fouls.  Though the Aggies were up big, they were still hustling.  Brooke went airborne and out-of-bounds to save an air-ball and get the rebound. 

Three minutes in and the Lopes were already in the bonus.  Unfortunately for them, they couldn’t hit a foul shot, so it wasn’t hurting the Aggies.  The Aggies kept scoring.  Gia and Brooke scored layups off of turnovers.  Gia in particular got some very friendly bounces off the rim on a couple of shots.  Timeout at 56-24 Aggies. 

Brooke and Gia took seats on the bench.  At that point, they had more combined points than GCU.  Oh God, then it happened.  The PA played . . . (I can hardly bring myself to type it) . . . Baby Shark.  Yes, one of the most obnoxious Internet memes ever was being playing in the real world.  Of course, the kids there ate it up, sang along, and did the dance.  

With the reserves all in, Tayelin Grays made a nice pass inside to find Baylee Robinson for a layup.  Brooke came back in and got a steal and a layup off of Laura Piera.  Now I was officially feeling bad for Laura.  Nike got a great basket at the end of the quarter.  The ball pinballed around under the basket between several players before she grabbed it and stuck it in.  65-32 Aggies after three quarters. 

Fourth Quarter
Pistol Pete was again lifted by the Cheerleaders (the guys that is) as in the last game (2-7-19).  It was a shaky mount, but they nailed the maneuver.  (Maybe they should consider retiring this stunt before something happens to our beloved mascot.)  Pete then did the Macarena with the crowd.  The Band was already singing the fight song in victory early in the quarter.  They were “wobbling in their boots” as Jack Nixon would say. 

#21 Venla Yaris finally hit the first GCU three of the game in the fourth quarter.  Laura had been guarding Gia since the end of the third quarter.  I don’t care what the program sheet says, there is not a 1” difference in their heights.  It’s more like six and was a severe mismatch.  Even then, the Aggies were in a four-minute scoring drought, but GCU could not capitalize on it.

Brooke, of course, would come in and break the drought.  Varis hit another three, but Gia answered right back with one.  In the second quarter, Miller had scored on Baylee under the basket.  I was thinking Baylee’s teammates might be teasing her later.  I have to admit though, Miller could actually play and scored 8 in the second half.  Trust me, she doesn’t have a baller’s physique. 

During a timeout at 72-42, a camera caught a little cheerleader girl “dabbing.”  It was cute.  Tayelin popped a three right out of the break.  Pam Wilmore made a great play inside for a basket.  Ooh, Brooke later took a spill under the goal.  The crowd collectively held its breath, but she was okay.  Brooke was pulled out immediately for the rest of the game.  At 77-48 Aggies, I noticed both teams’ coaches were seated.  No sense in them getting worked up at this point.

Bre made a great move under the basket for a reverse layup.  Aissatou Fall fouled out and was applauded by the crowd as she went to the bench.  She’d been soaking up fouls during the game.  They’d passed to her a couple of times inside, but she wasn’t able to finish.  Fall just needs a little more experience to be effective.  Before the end, GCU started making free throws, especially Balague.  I’m sure their attractive coach, Nicole Powell, was mentally saying, Now you’re making them?                 

Our final was 81-52 Aggies.  I was in shock, but I’ll take it as a fan.  Did GCU accidently send their JV team?  Looking at their 5-14 record, they’re actually not that good.  I really wish I had some background on this game.  Carla Balague led them with 12 points.  Sharon Miller was next with 10.  I shouldn’t have doubted why she was out on the court.  Laura Piera had 9 on a rough day, but at least she’s still good-looking.

Everyone played for the Aggies and 10 of the 12 players scored.  Brooke Salas celebrated her senior day with cookies and 25 points and 18 rebounds.  Gia Pack was next with 19 points and at least 3 bruises.  The other girls chipped in as well.  If this was a revenge game, the Aggies got it and then some.  I’m happy Brooke and Gia came out of this uninjured, because any of those falls in the game could have done them in.  No time for reflection though.  We were off to see Aggie Softball, joined in progress.  

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