I have to start this with a little anecdote. I was out shopping at the Downtown Mall and about to go into Zia Comics and surprisingly ran into Jack Nixon, former voice of the Aggies. He was petting someone’s dogs outside. I said, “Hello,” and asked why on earth he was there. (I didn’t actually phrase it like that.) Jack showed me a football card and said he was looking for a display stand for it. He’d come up empty at the store and asked for suggestions. I directed him to Michael’s and Hobby Lobby, which he hadn’t thought about. I showed him the book I’d just bought at Coas by local sports author and former coach, Russ Bradburd, Big Time. Jack said it was good. I should have asked him when he’s going to write his book.
Back to sports coverage, the Aggie Men’s Basketball team continued to come back down to earth and played 9-1 Tulsa on Saturday on the road. The Aggies were buried at the start and were down double digits for most of the game. It was probably a 20-point deficit at the worst. Late in the second half, the Aggie’s cut it down to 7 with Jayland Randall and Juice Mims making pivotal scores. However, they couldn’t get any closer and lost, 83-70. There was lengthy delay at one point, while the officials had to recheck the scoring. Mims, Jemel Jones, and Cyr Malonga all scored in double digits. The Aggies were 39% shooting, but the Golden Hurricane was 47% shooting and 44% on 3’s. They’re maybe the best team the Aggies will face this season.
The Women’s Basketball team, meanwhile, had had a rough road trip, but at least won their final game. They were back home and playing on a Sunday evening for some reason. I questioned the timing of this game, but a good crowd of 462 came out. Tonight’s opponent, Western New Mexico, brought quite a few fans. They have several players from the area on their team. The merch kiosk and the grill were open. The grill is usually only open for Men’s games and big games.
About half of the Roadrunner Revue Band was there, along with half the Cheerleaders (and Pistol Pete, of course). I’m not sure if the students are on break or not. (Thankfully, the Hot Marketing Girl was still here.) Adam Young was not there calling the game for TV. I didn’t recognize the person calling the game. It’s a mystery, since I’d recognize any of the normal replacements. The Band surprisingly didn’t play the Anthem.
Our dear Emma Christiano led the Aggies out on court. She was all smiles during the warmups running wind sprints. During the player introductions, they’d updated the video with the clip of Lucia Yenes doing the behind the back dribble and the behind the back pass from the Lobos game.
First Quarter
I made a real effort tonight and the scorecard added up correctly with no fudging. During the road trip, Morane Dossou had come on strong for the Aggies. She started the scoring with a quick basket on an inbounds. The Mustangs scored next and a big cheer went up from the crowd and their bench.
Imani Warren made a steal, taking down the player, and got a layup. Lucia made a turnaround jumper. Mustang Natalie Magallanes was fouled on a 3. She came to the nail and dropped in all three foul shots. It was 8-5 Aggies with 6 minutes left in the quarter.
Emma came in and that got a cheer from the crowd. (I think she has her own cheering section.) She came in with Keira Hudson. Coach Adams seems to like pairing up her two small guards. Emma got an assist with a give-and-go to Morane for a basket. After a foul, Keira was over talking to the Coach. Emma called her over before the second free throw. This is a change. Usually, Emma is talking to the Coach during breaks. It was 12-5 Aggies with 4 minutes left.
During a break, which featured Dance Cam, a puppy came up on camera. Ahh. I didn’t know you could bring pets in here tonight (except for Wave the Wonder Dog, of course). Back to the action, Emma got another assist with a bounce pass to Marta Guilera for a layup. She could do it shooting, too. Emma was left open and buried a 3. (I’m starting to sound like her proud dad bragging, here.) 17-6 Aggies with 2’ left.
The Aggies were already cycling in the back of the bench. On defense, Marta blocked a 3, but then picked up a second foul. Mustang Angelina Khalf got a pair of free throws. She made the first and missed the second, but an Aggie lane violation gave her another chance, which she converted on. Senoj Jones was in and made a leaping steal. Emma hit a last second jumper on the Aggies’ final possession, and it was 19-8 Aggies.
Second Quarter
The Cheerleaders ran up in the stands to hand out t-shirts. They’re working hard. Simba Cam was activated. Some people were holding up small cute dogs. Oh! I suddenly remembered there was going to be a Corgi dog race at halftime. Now, I was glad I came tonight.
WNM came out with some fierce defense and forced a shot clock violation on the Aggies’ first possession. Magallanes then got a steal and a layup. Yvanna Villareal, who is from Las Cruces, came in for the Mustangs. She got a big cheer. 5’3” Jordan Sapien charged the lane and drew a foul and splashed both shots for WNM.
5’3” Emma was taking charge of the Aggies and was yelling instructions to her much taller teammates. She made a pass to Lucia for a layup to make it, 25-12 Aggies with 6’ left in the half. Mustang Naomi Kimble was fouled and came to the line with impressively bling-y, though mismatched, shoes. Unfortunately, she also missed both free throws.
On defense, Loes Rozing made a steal and Lucia made a block. The Aggies were up 29-12 with 4’ left. Keira made a nice bounce pass to Marta for a layup, but WNM came back with a block by Ema Rose and a layup by Sapien. Emma made a steal for a fast break and Nikki Stanic made a 3. (This poor girl. She has really been cold so far this season, but hasn’t stopped trying. I want her to succeed, if for no other reason than because she’s pretty hot.)
There was a lady in the next section yelling. At one point, she yelled out, “Let her play, Coach!” I think she was with the WNM fans, but I don’t know which player she was referring to. On court, Keira made a steal and made a behind the back dribble and a layup. There’s one for the highlight reel. It was 38-26 Aggies at the half.
Halftime
Okay, here’s the reason why everyone is here, except for me, who didn’t remember. It’s the third annual Corgi Race on court. Jack Nixon was here. Once again, he was wearing a Chargers jersey. I got to see the back and it’s a Dan Fouts jersey. He was on court, but I’m not sure he got to greet the dogs though I’m sure he wanted to. (We all did.)
In the first heat of four, a routound Corgi named, Kevin Lord Humungous, won. (He was still darling.) In the second, one of the dogs got pointed in the wrong direction and a barking dog, Lume Zoomie, won. In the third heat, three of the dogs decided to take a meeting, letting the littlest dog win. For the final, the barker, Lume Zoomie, edged out Kevin Lord Humungous. What an event for the ages!
Third Quarter
Both teams came out firing to start the second half. Anna Csenyi dropped in a jumper. Loes dipped in a 3. Magallanes made a 3 and Sapien followed that with a 3 all for WNM. Lucia had a layup and it was 47-22 with 6’ left and timeout Mustangs.
Twist Cam featured the Band and Pete twisting. Back to play, Loes found Morane for a layup. Lucia got a loose ball and got it to Imani for a layup. Emma came in. She tried to talk the Coach into letting her in earlier, but was told to sit down. (That’s what it looked like.) Morane got a basket and a foul. She missed the FT, but Lucia got the rebound for a layup. 55-24 Aggies with 5’ left and timeout.
Bongo Cam and the Band started doing the Tomahawk Chop. I don’t get it, either. In play, Lucia got a steal. The Aggies got maybe three shots, but connect. Magallanes made another 3 for WNM. Emma made a behind the head pass under the basket to Lucia for a layup. 52-24 Aggies with 2’ left and timeout WNM. When they went back to play, the teams traded baskets. Sapien and Cadence Turnbow scored and the WNM bench exploded for them. 64-33 Aggies.
Fourth Quarter
An attendant came out on court to give the three refs cups of water, which were much appreciated. Starting the final 10 minutes, Keira got a WNM pass that went right to her. She got it to Senoj for a layup. Deavion Wilson was in for the Aggies. She intercepted a pass. Keira stole a Mustang inbounds. 67-33 Aggies with 7’ left in the game. Timeout WNM.
Suddenly, my pants were vibrating. I didn’t know I was that excited. Oh, it was my phone. It was an out-of-state friend calling. He’s called me before during a game. It’s just bad luck. With the Band playing, I couldn’t hear a word. I shouted at him that I’d call him back. He was calling from the Eastern Time Zone. I ended up keeping him up late with a long conversation after I got home. I apologized. Maybe I should have stepped out early to take the call.
Lucia Lara was in. She’d been in earlier and gotten taken out. With a second chance, she got a layup and a rebound. Deavion made a hard pass directly into the Aggie bench. That was a little too energetic. Mustang Alexandra Gonzales made a layup and their bench went wild. WNM also forced a shot clock violation on the Aggies. 69-38 Aggies with 3’ left and timeout.
Anna got a steal. The Aggies got three shots, but didn’t connect on the possession. Turnbow made a layup and Gonzales made a jumper. The WNM bench was cheering like it was a championship game. Lucia L. made three layups on the other end and Deavion had a steal. The game ended, 76-44 Aggies.
For the Mustangs, Natalie Magallanes and Jordan Sapien (all 5’3” of her) led the team with 11 points each. Props to their bench, they were indefatigable in cheering for the girls on the court. Everyone scored for the Aggies. Lucia Yenes led with 14 points. Morane Dossou had 10 points and 8 rebounds. Emma Christiano had 5 points and 6 assists. (I’m playing favorites giving her stats. Sue me.) Props to Lucia Lara, who had 8 points in about 7 minutes. The Aggies led in shooting percentage 52% to 27%, but WNM led in free throws 76% to 52%. The Aggies had 52 points in the paint, 22 fast break points, and 25 points off turnovers.
I admit, I kind wanted to just home and vegetate, but I was glad I went. Yes, more than the Corgi race, I did enjoy the game. WNM played hard and that made it interesting. The Aggies got a chance to show off a bit. Sapien went right to the stands to see her family after the game. Probably some other Mustangs did as well.
I’m on vacation this week, so I plan on going to the ladies’ next game on Tuesday.
No comments:
Post a Comment