NM State Aggies vs #25 UTSA Roadrunners Baseball 3-8-26

 

The title here is misleading.    I only saw the last two innings of the game between Aggie Baseball and the UTSA Roadrunners, #25 in the nation.    I’d went to Aggie Softball, instead.  No regrets, though I was disappointed that the promised autograph session did not manifest.    I’d even dressed up a bit.    Just as well, there weren’t any kids in the crowd, which are essential for autographs.    Instead, I’ll recap a few games leading up to today’s game, as well as some surprising Aggie Women’s Basketball news and some Aggie Men’s Basketball recaps.    It’s a potpourri.    

On Tuesday, the Aggies played against the undefeated, 12-0, UNM Lobos.    Admittedly, I didn’t want to sit out in the cold and didn’t like the Aggies’ chances.    Russ Langer did the radio call, as Adam Young, who could barely speak for the Aggie Coach’s Show on Monday, was out.    I think I remember on that show, they previewed this game and somebody said that the Lobo’s had played a “soft” schedule, unlike UTSA, who’d played some stiff competition.    That sounds like bulletin board material, but let’s see how that analysis plays out.

The Aggies got the scoring started in the bottom of the second, as Tommy Meluskey tripled and Cole Rogers sac’d him in, 1-0.    Colton Sneddon started for the Aggies pitching.    A missed flyball that turned into a triple got him taken out for Jake Carvajal, who kept the runner from coming in.    Meluskey led off the fifth with a homer to make it, 2-0.    Brandon Clizbe got on via an error, advanced by passed ball, and was brought in by Boston Vest, 3-0.

The Lobos did come back in the sixth.    With 2 on, Carson Timmons came in and gave up a 3-run homer to tie it at 3.    In the bottom, there was a failed squeeze play and Steve Solorzano was out at the plate.    Rogers drove in a run anyway to give the Aggies back the lead, 4-3.

Russ was doing a good job calling the game.    He mentioned he is a baseball broadcaster in the summer in Las Vegas.    I thought I’d heard his voice before.    I think I’d listened to an Aviators’ broadcast once, when I couldn’t get the El Paso Chihuahuas’ side of the game.   

In the top of the seventh, the Lobos loaded the bases with 2 out.    Connor Wylde was in and gave up a bases clearing double, which gave the Lobos a 6-4 lead.    In the bottom, the Aggies got two on.    The Lobos brought in their best pitcher.    Russ had barely said that, before Aidan Taclas doubled in both runs. Easton Rulli and Rogers each drove in runs to get the Aggies back in the lead, 8-6.

Aggie defense closed it out.    A double play ended the top of the eighth and Wylde finished it off in the ninth.    Aggies win, 8-6!    Awesome!    And I wasn’t there.    It was a beautiful day and night too, with a great crowd of over 1,000.    I had meant to go, but had talked myself out of it, because I didn’t want to be there late at night and I’d underestimated the team.    To make it worse, I’d actually gotten the time wrong.    The game started at 4:00 and finished in the early evening.    Good job, boys.    Bad job by me.

On Friday night, Aggie Baseball took on #25 UTSA.    Russ was back calling the game with Adam still out.    Russ had some trouble pronouncing some player names, but was otherwise okay.    UTSA was coming in with a pretty good resume having beaten Ohio State, DBU, Coastal Carolina, and Baylor, who the Aggies had been swept by early in the season.    The Aggie Band was there for the game and played the Anthem.    It was a good crowd of 881.

It did not go well for the Aggies.    An error in the second brought in 2 runs.    In the fourth, the Roadrunners brought in 4 more.    When it was 6-0, UTSA was bringing in their bench.    It was 8-0 by the seventh.   

By the eighth, Russ was talking about basketball.    By the ninth, it was 10-0.    In the bottom of the inning, the stadium lights went out, thankfully not in the middle of a pitch.    I wasn’t watching the clock, but the delay was lengthy.    When play finally resumed, he said, “If you’re still listening, I’m a member of your fan club.”

In the delay, Russ started telling a story about his baseball-hating grandfather.    Russ’ dad finally talked him into going to a game, because they’d put lights up at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn.    Grandpa didn’t like the game.    It was boring.    Little Russ read the paper the next day and found out Johnny Vander Meer had pitched his second no-hitter in row for the Reds at that game.    It was an absolute all-time historical game.       

Well, back to this game.    Jonatan Clough pinch hit a triple to drive in a run. The Band was still there.    They were loud and chanting in the background.    A Chris Daniels fielder’s choice brought in a second run. 10-2 UTSA was the final.

On Saturday, Russ was again doing the commentary.  It was 2-0 until the fifth and the Roadrunners opened up the floodgates.    As the game got out of hand late, Russ kept trying to tell stories, but the pace of the game was frustrating his attempts.    It ended in a 13-0 run rule in the seventh. At that point, I committed to going to Softball in the morning.

That brings us up to the Sunday game.  The baseball game was again on the radio, like softball was, so I followed along a bit.    A guy sitting next to me was also giving updates on the score.    Russ was not available to call this game.    Scott Colletti was in with Adam Young either out for the tournament or still out sick.  I know I’ve heard that name before, but I don’t remember where.  After the softball game, I hustled over to the next door baseball stadium and was waved inside.    It was the seventh inning and there were no programs available.   

Inside, I said, “Hello,” to Trey, Robin, and Nellie Reese and sat down by Fan Michael.    I felt like I needed an explanation for being late, so I said, “Its ‘Spring backward, Fall forward,’ right?”    They figured I was at Softball.    I could see the bright orange tops of UTSA from the softball stands.    They actually had a bat boy, an honest-to-goodness bat boy working for them.    I haven’t seen one of those in few years at the stadium.

I don’t have scorecard for this, since the game was well underway.    I just made some notes on the game.    It was 4-4 in the bottom of the seventh.    The Aggies stranded a runner at third.    In the top of the eighth, a Roadrunners runner was safe at first on an overthrow, but was thrown out trying to stretch it to second.   

In the top of the eighth, the Aggies faced a side-arming pitcher, a rarity in college baseball.    The Aggies got a runner to third with 2 outs.    Dane Woodcook laid down a bunt for a squeeze play.    The pitcher fielded the ball, but missed the first baseman. Woodcook didn’t.    The collision was tremendous and Woodcook got the worst of it.    He did stay in.    Aggies up, 5-4.

Connor Wylde was pitching in the top of the ninth.    He gave up a single and hit a batter.    A sacrifice moved them into scoring position.    There wasn’t a large crowd there, and maybe half was for UTSA, but they were all into it on every pitch.    Steve Solorzano squeezed a foul popup for the second out.    An intentional walk loaded the bases.    A reliever was ready, but Connor talked Coach Angier into letting him stay in.    The UTSA fans were doing a rhythmic clap.    Aggie fans were chanting, “Let’s go Aggies!”    A groundout to second ended the game.    Aggies win, 5-4.

After the game, the Aggies lined up for a handshake.    Connor and Dane could barely keep the smiles off their faces in the postgame interview. The Roadrunners declined.    Oh, well.    The game went a tidy two-and-a-half hours.    I was lucky I got to see any of it.    On the way out, I saw several more Volleyball players beyond Nellie.    None of them were together, though.    I don’t know if they had been sitting together.  

Though I gotten a Whataburger coupon at Softball, I’d been cheated out of a Jimmie John’s sandwich at work the previous week, so I went there.    It was tasty and I thanked the workers there.    (Cue the ominous music.)

A couple of hours after I got home, my dad called and told me that Coach Jody Adams had been let go of the Aggie Women’s Basketball team.    Given that the team had failed to make the tournament and lost their last several games badly, this wasn’t a huge surprise.    This firing wasn’t for losing games, so much as for losing the team.    I saw their final home game and clearly the players and the Coach were feuding.    Somebody had to pay the price.    Right now, Coach Hooten of the Men’s team is breathing a sigh of relief that he made the tournament.     

Flipping around in the evening, I ran into a WBC game from Houston on Mexican TV.    It was Brazil versus Mexico.    I knew former Aggie great, Nick Gonzales, was on the Mexican team.    He came up and I saw him drive in a run in the first.    I didn’t know his former Aggie teammate, Joey Ortiz, was also on the team.    [Samy Natera Jr. is also on the team. Fox Broadcasters did mention that, “Playing for New Mexico State does not make you eligible to play for the Mexican national team.] Together again.    That’s too cool.    Mexico wins in a 16-0 run rule.   

A little later, I spent four hours puking up that sandwich from earlier.    That really sucked.    Needless to say, I didn’t write much that night and that delayed my posts for the week.    As the timeline got pushed back, there were several more Aggie Sports events that I’ll go ahead and cover here.

Aggie Baseball played another Tuesday game against the University of the Southwest.    Duke Keith did the radio announcing for the game.    There was a live Anthem for the game.    Aggie Softball was playing the Lobos at the same time.    It was cold and raining out, so I was okay with missing being there.     

It was 4-0 Aggies after 1 inning and only got more lopsided from there.    In the fifth, Jonatan Clough hit the first Aggie homer at 16-1 Aggies.    In the sixth, he did it again and it was 20-1.    In the seventh, 24-1 Aggies, Duke thought that the run rule would be in effect.    It was not.    At least the sun came out for a while and it was nice out.    I kind of tuned out on listening to most of this one for basketball.    The Aggies won, 39-4.    Oddly, there were just those 2 home runs.    Basically, everyone hit well. Clough was 5 for 7 with 7 RBI’s.    Unfortunately, Cooper Reese never came in as a pitcher.    That may be a really bad sign for him, unless they were saving him for the weekend.

Over at Softball, it was a 9-1 win over UNM with a run rule.    Faith Aragon got the win.    Jaileen Mancha was again supposed to start, but didn’t pitch at all.    This happened on Sunday, too.    Maybe she’s being scratched late for injury after a pregame warm up.    Kendal Lunar dealt the big blow with a 3-run double in the fourth.    I think Adam Young was back calling the game.   

Also on Tuesday, Aggie Men’s Basketball played their first game in the C-USA Basketball Tournament against Jax State.    It was basically home game for the Gamecocks, as it wasn’t far from the their home.   

The Aggies took a 39-28 lead at the half.    Their biggest lead was 14 in the game.    However, Jax State made a comeback.    It was 65-63 Aggies with a minute left.    The Aggies didn’t make their shot, but Juice Mims got the rebound.    JS quickly fouled Gabe Pickens, who made 1 free throw, 66-63.    The Gamecocks missed their shot and the Aggies got the rebound.  The JS big man fouled out and Jayland Randall made both free throws to ice a 68-63 final.    Jemel Jones had 17 points and Pickens had 16.    Juice only had 3.

The next night, the Aggies played Sam Houston State, Coach Hooten’s old school.    Before this game, #1 seed Liberty lost to Missouri St. Liberty was the class of the conference, but fell way off at the end of the season.    Tournament was now wide open.   

Unfortunately, the Aggies were not shooting well.    At the half, it was 37-26 Bearkats.    The Aggies got it down to 4 with 10 minutes left, but that was as close as it got.    Sam Houston won, 69-61. SH was not shooting that well either, but they were defending and rebounding better.    Jemel Jones did well with 19 points.    For some reason, Juice Mims barely played in the game.    It’s another disappointing season for the Aggie Men’s Basketball.    This one was close to catastrophic, as they barely made the tournament.    I’d say next season Coach Hooten is definitely on the hot seat.

NM State Aggies vs Jax State Gamecocks Women’s Basketball 2-28-26

Since that crushing loss to UTEP, the Aggie Women’s Basketball team has won at home against Kennesaw State, 52-40. The Owls had a 20-11 lead after the first quarter (starting off at 15-2), but were held to single-digits totals for the next three quarters. Lucia Yenes led with 21 points. Freshman Senoj Jones had 14 and Lucia Lara had 10 rebounds. I’m glad to see Lucia L. in there and doing well and Senoj has future star potential. The Aggies forced 27 turnovers and 14 team steals (3 by Emma Christiano along with 4 assists). Iyana Beh even scored on a free throw. (I’m rooting for her, too.)

Meanwhile, the Aggie Men’s Basketball team was playing WKU on the road and lost badly, 93-70. I missed the beginning of the game coverage on the radio. I only missed the Hilltoppers getting out to a 17-0 start. After the game, Coach Hooten didn’t want to talk about it. Two Aggies had good games, at least: Juice Mims scored 13 points with 10 rebounds and Jae’Coby Osborne had 12 points and 9 rebounds.

The Men played Middle Tennessee on the road in the morning before the Women would play here. I’d be lying if I said I was listening to the game on the radio. I did check in here and there. The Aggies were up 14 points into the second half. When I finally started really listening, it was down to a 3-point lead in the closing minutes. A Jemel Jones’ 3 briefly made it a 6-point lead, but the Blue Raiders would tie it in the final seconds. The Aggies had the last shot, but missed it. It was 76 all going to OT.

The refs waved off a goaltending call that would have given the Aggies a lead. The Aggies were down by 1 in the final seconds and missed the last shot. 86-85 MT final. Jemel led the Aggies with 34 points, which is kind of awesome. Unfortunately, he missed a couple of shots at the wrong time. Three other Aggies players were in double figures shooting. Coach Hooten seemed rather cavalier in the interview afterward.

I took right off after that game to the Pan-Am Center for the final Aggie Women’s home game against Jax State. Charming Sydney McIntosh again greeted me inside the door. She was signing up people for a Harlem Globetrotter ticket giveaway. I told her I’d already seen them here as a kid in the 70’s. In other words, let some other kid see them.

The Roadrunner Revue band, Pistol Pete (the one without the mustache, the other one is still undergoing therapy because of the Oklahoma fans), the Cheerleaders, and the Sundancers were all present. It didn’t seem like the crowd showed up, but officially it was 904. I have to question that number just from eyeballing it and from being at last week’s rivalry game against UTEP, which was only listed at 712. The steam cannons from that game were still set up and I appreciated the musical cues from the PA to start this game. All I could think of, though, was that I was missing a NASCAR race for this.

First Quarter

The scorecard added up correctly the first time. Given this was a low-scoring game, I should have gotten the scoring right this late in the season, but it’s always a challenge. Imani Warren was not starting for the Aggies, but was in the lineup to play. This seemed like a troubling sign. Lucia L. started in her place.

The Aggie defense forced two turnovers without a shot on the Gamecocks’ first two possessions. Emma found Senoj for the first points of the game. To this point, it all seemed normal. What was more indicative were the misses that followed by both teams. Eventually, Senoj made a jumper and it was 4-1 Aggies with 5’ left in the quarter.

Imani finally came in after a timeout. Lucia L. missed a couple of shots, but was pulling down some rebounds. She grabbed one reaching over a defender’s head. Morane Dossou came in and grabbed a couple of quick rebounds. Mina Djurojevic came in for the Cocks. She was a tall, pretty Serbian with hypnotically silky blonde hair. Adriana Jones put the Cocks up 4-6 with a 3 with 1’ left. That would be how the first quarter ended . . . with 10 combined points. There were a couple of guys doing running commentary behind me. Their summation was, “The refs are winning.” There were several fouls on the Aggies in the quarter.

Second Quarter

The Sundancers performed during the break. It was a surprising routine with a lot of ballet mixed in. I should have guessed these girls all had had ballet training. The Band gave them an extra cheer when they came back to the sidelines. Lucia L. picked up a second quick foul and came out for Nikki Stanic. She blocked a shot.

Statler and Waldrof behind me commented, “How long do you think they can go without scoring? That was a worthwhile question. The Cocks had put in a few baskets, but the Aggies couldn’t buy one. Finally, Deavion Hudson came in and hit a layup to make it, 6-11 JS with 7’ left in the quarter. I think that was 8 minutes without a basket.

After that, the Aggies got called for offensive fouls on their next two possessions. The crowd was getting unruly towards the refs. They picked up another foul on their next possession. Anna Csenyi was called for a second foul. Both times, she was shocked and pointed to herself, “Who? Me?” The crowd was booing.

In the stoppage, a guy rolled for the Monopoly game. Instead of winning money, he got Go To Jail result. The crowd booed more. Quick, send the Cheerleaders out to throw more souvenirs to the crowd. Yay! They were cheering again. Before play resumed, the Band started chanting, “We want new refs!”

Emma put up a jumper to make it, 8-15 JS with 3’ left. Imani drew a foul going to the basket. The crowd was amazed to finally get a call their way. She made both free throws. 10-17 JS 2’ left. Emma made a bounce pass to Morane for a layup. Lucia L. made a bunny at the rim. Cocker Mya Barnes made a block on Morane. Imani made a layup on the Aggies’ last possession. However, the Aggies finished the half down, 16-23.

Halftime

Okay, this was new. A dance group performed for halftime, but it was a group of middle aged dancers. It was sort modern and sort of ballroom and well done. They performed a long routine and were into it. A couple of the Sundancers were watching and appreciated the effort. One of the dancer ladies was wearing a mask. I have to question this woman being involved in this activity when she’d surely be safer locked up at home.

I went to the bathroom. I considered changing seats so that I could watch a game playing on a TV in one of suites. Maybe it’d be a better game. I noticed Mia Fox and Zoe Ziegler in the crowd representing Aggie Volleyball. The team’s been pretty faithful supporting the girls.

Third Quarter

Emma took a charge in the lane from a much bigger girl. It wouldn’t be an Aggie game without Emma hitting the deck on a charge. Lucia hit an open jumper to make it, 20-23 with 8’ left in the quarter. It seemed like the Aggies were about to make a game of it, but this would actually be as close as it got.

Anna took another foul from forcing a Cocker into the sideline table on a fast break. “Good foul,” said the guys behind me. Barnes hit a 3 and suddenly it was, 22-33 JS with 6’ left. (Obviously, they scored a few more times than that.) In the timeout, Coach Adams and Emma started going at it on court. It was not an insignificant argument. At the beginning of the season, Emma was going over to the Coach for guidance in every stoppage. What is going on here? Before play resumed, the Aggie girls had a long huddle on court.

Lucia found Senoj under the basket for a layup. Adriana Jones made a 3 for the Cocks, but Anna replied with an Aggie 3. Still, it was 27-36 JS with 3’ left. The margin increased to 27-40 with 2’ left, when a timeout was called. In the break, a girl played the card match game and won. It was surprising because she was so disinterested while doing it. The guys behind me were shouting, “Faster!” The girl came back to her seat profoundly unhappy. Was she forced into it or didn’t like the free tickets as a prize?

Iyana came into the game and would make a block. Lucia L. made a block. Anna hit another 3. The refs missed an obvious travel call and set the crowd off again. It was 30-47 JS going into the final quarter.

Fourth Quarter

The crowd was just mad at everyone now. Thank goodness Wave the Wonder Dog didn’t show up for this game. He didn’t need to see this. Iyana fought for a rebound and got it, but the Aggies turned it over anyway on a foul by Imani. Coach Adams had sent out a strange lineup to start the fourth without a point guard. It was as confused as you’d think on two possessions. Emma was put back in. Imani came out in an obviously very bad mood.

The crowd was becoming ominously quiet as the score was getting worse. Senoj got the rebound on a missed 3 and put it in for a layup. Mina got smacked down hard to the court on the play. She had to come out and was walking off slowly. Barnes put in another 3. She was completely wide open for the entire possession. I can’t believe it took several passes for the Cocks to find her. Even I saw she unguarded. 34-52 JS 6’ left in the game.

The pretty Aggie trainer was complaining at the refs for a Travel call. She was still into the game. I’ll miss seeing her. During a timeout, PA Ed thanked Aggie Nation for their support this season. Issuing a heartfelt apology for this game would have also been in order. Forget NASCAR, I’m missing Gilmore Girls right now for this. (I started watching this show on the weekends. I really can’t explain why.) Even the two JS parents in the crowd were clearly not entertained by this game.

For some reason, both coaches called timeouts in the final minute. I think Coach Adams meant to do something with the seniors, but I don’t think it happened. One good thing came of it, Abril Ricart-Mensah came in off the deep bench for the Cocks. She was very pretty. Well, that was the final highlight. Aggies lose 38-57.

This was an entirely winnable game. The Gamecocks were not that good a team and didn’t even play that well today. This isn’t sour grapes; the Aggies were just that bad. The Cocks shot 37% to the Aggies’ 28% and 31% to 16% on 3’s. A lot of JS’ 3’s came when the team was already well up and the Aggies couldn’t answer. The Cocks shot 90% on their free throws for 18 points. This is significant because JS was called for 9 fouls, while the Aggies were called for 23. Maybe the crowd was right about the refs. (Maybe the Aggies completely broke down in discipline.)

Mya Barnes led Jax State with 13 points. Adriana Jones had 12 points and Kyera Thornsbury had 11. For the Aggies, Senoj Jones at least had a good game with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Morane Dossou only had 2 points, but pulled down 11 rebounds. Anna Csenyi had 8 points with two 3’s and was hustling.

I’m not criticizing all the players’ efforts, but if Lucia Yenes or Imani Warren aren’t scoring, the Aggies aren’t winning. The Coach wasn’t even putting them in that much. The lineups out on the floor seemed almost random at times. There’s clearly some kind of friction between Coach Adams and some of the players. I’d suspect a house cleaning of players in the offseason. I didn’t see AD Fields at the game, but if he was or had been there, I could see him cleaning out the coaching staff, too.

It just felt like the whole team and the Coach quit, not on playing hard, but on each other and the fans. I didn’t want it to end like this. I’m already planning on not getting an Aggie Country Pass next season, but I thought I might come back for a couple of Women’s Basketball games to see Emma as a senior. Now, I’m washing my hands of this.

The team went around the sidelines. Lucia L. was in tears going around greeting fans. Poor thing. She was playing hard. Next season, some of those missed shots will drop for her. I just don’t know if she’ll be playing for the Aggies. On the way out, I was behind a family with a little girl wearing a giveaway t-shirt several sizes too big for her and holding souvenir ball. She had a good time, at least.

I’d like to report on having a good a good dinner, but my grilled cheese sandwich with macaroni from Roni’s wasn’t that great. It was kind of flavorless and irritated my stomach. This week at work I had a Jimmie John’s sub with my name on it and a leftover jug of McAlister’s sweet tea stolen from the fridge from me. It’s been that kind of week.

I again decided to miss the Aggie Baseball nightcap. It was a nice night, but I didn’t want to go to another game, especially since I could listen to it on the radio. Adam Young, who was calling the basketball game for TV, also called the Baseball game. He’s got stamina. Anyway, I’m done with Aggie Basketball for the season unless they give me a good reason to write about them.

NM State Aggies vs UTEP Miners Women's Basketball 2-21-26

Lots of Aggie Basketball to recap since the last game I went to (1-17-26).    Honestly, I probably wouldn’t bother with this except I’ve been scratching out some notes ever since.    Unfortunately, after that great win over Missouri State, the Aggie Women had three road losses, each by double digits.         

Versus Jax State, Lucia Yenes, Imani Warren, and Morane Dossou all scored in double digits, but lost, 57-46.    A 4-point second quarter likely did them in.    Against Kennesaw State, the Aggies lost, 70-55.    Imani and Keira Hudson were the main scorers.    The Aggies shot the ball well against UTEP, but couldn’t stop the Miners from scoring and lost, 79-69. Imani and Lucia scored over 20 points each.    Keira had 12 points.

Back at home, the Aggies had a comeback win against a very good Sam Houston team, 65-57.    They shot 48% and kept Sam Houston to 31%. The rest of the stats were close or in SH’s favor.    Only Lucia was in double digits at 17, but nearly every player chipped in.    While I was at Aggie Softball two weeks ago (2-7-26), LA Tech beat the Aggies, 77-58. Imani led with 17 points. The Aggies shot 45%, but LA Tech shot 50%.   

The Aggies then lost to Delaware, 65-62.    Emma Christiano hit a half court 3 to end the first half and made another 3 at the end to the game to make it close.    The Aggies had 4 players in double digits with Lucia leading with 18 points.    The team scored 23 points in fourth quarter, so they went down fighting.    Finally, they lost to Liberty, 67-42.    Imani was the only Aggie in double digits with 11.

I guess I’ll do a recap of Aggie Men’s Basketball, too.    Groan.    On the Aggie Coach’s Show, Coach Hooten sounds defeated or perplexed or resigned at this point.    He’s down to openly asking why God is testing him like this. After their win at Delaware, they dropped four in a row.    Even worse, three of those games were at home and were well attended at over 5,000 each.

Against Missouri State, they went down by 17, came back, took a brief lead, but lost, 84-75.    The Aggies lost to FIU, 81-78.    Against Delaware, whom they’d beaten badly earlier in the season, the Aggies lost, 73-64.    There was a road loss to Kennesaw State, 76-53.    The Aggies finally got a victory with a 72-63 win versus La Tech.    The game was closer than the final score would indicate.

 

The road loss to UTEP was a crusher.    The Aggies had a 14-point lead in the first half lead.    The Miners kept whittling it down until they hit a 3 in the final seconds to tie it.    UTEP took a 7-point lead in the overtime.    The Aggies got close, but lost it, 91-88.    Back at home, the Aggies played Liberty, who was still undefeated in conference.    This was another heartbreaking loss, this one on a last-second shot, 77-75.    There was still over 5,000 at the Pan-Am Center for the game.    The Aggies are averaging 1,000 more a game than anyone else in conference, in spite of their record.    While I was at Softball last weekend (2-14-26), the Aggies beat Jax State, 79-70, in a must win game.   

In the pregame show, broadcaster Russ Langer was emphasizing that 7 players on the team have a 3.0 GPA.    That’s when you know the team is bad.    In the last interview I heard with Aggie Football Coach Sanchez, he offhandedly mentioned that NMSU was the only school in conference that spent more NIL money on their Men’s Basketball team than on their Football team.     Don’t think he doesn’t know what Basketball’s record is right now and how the Football team was maybe a playmaker away from being bowl eligible last season.

That’s a long way to go to get us up-to-date for this afternoon’s Aggie Women’s Basketball game against UTEP.    Originally, the Men and Women were set to have a double header of sorts, but the girls were moved up a couple of hours.    I kind of have to agree with this from a revenue perspective, though I might have like to have stayed for both games like I did earlier in the season (11-11-25).   

I was committed to going to the afternoon game, but uncertain about going to Aggie Baseball in the evening.    I got up this morning and went out in the bright sunny morning and shivered from the cold.    It warmed later, but that shock was enough to convince me to just plan on going to one game today.    Also, for whatever reason (probably a long week at work), I was really rundown before I even went to Basketball.    I should have taken a nap first.

I left a bit early, anticipating a big crowd for the rivalry game.    When I got to the Pan-Am Center, I wondered if they’d changed times again.    The parking lot was pretty deserted, but people were still going inside, so the game was on.    Attendance was only 712 and that’s with a contingent of UTEP fans.    Maybe they should have done the double header.    Both teams are bad, but you’d think a rivalry game would still draw a crowd.    The Miners brought a lot fewer visiting fans than they had at Volleyball last year, though (10-10-25).    

Inside, I ran into the ever effervescent Sydney McIntosh at the courtesy table.    She was handing out rally towels.    She said she was just about to get her master’s degree in Marketing.    I told her, with that smile of hers, she was going to do well.    The grill was open, but I had lunch plans.

The Roadrunner Revue Band and the Cheerleaders were there.    The Sundancers showed up a little late and had to scramble to get on court to be introduced.    Pistol Pete was nowhere to be seen for this big game.    Did he not get the time change or was he traumatized by last week’s encounter with the Oklahoma fans and seeking counseling? I think I saw Steve Kaplowitz doing the radio call for the Miners across the court. I wouldn’t have been able to get his AM station in the building, anyway. (I tuned in after I got out to my car. If they were doing coverage, I totally missed it.)    

Mia Fox and Jacqueline Corcoran were here, both looking lovely, representing Aggie Volleyball.    There were a couple of other fans of note at the sideline tables.    One guy was wearing a crimson bowler hat.    The sharpest dressed person in the arena was a guy in a classy short, felt cowboy hat and a crimson Aggie sports coat.    These guys know where to get their merchandise.

I was once again tempted by a UTEP player, maybe?    I remember pretty blonde, Katerina Zec, on their team (11-13-19).    This girl was an almost total opposite with an enormous mound of dark beautiful curls.    However, she was dressed in street clothes when she came in with the team.    She greeted some Miner fans before the game, but then tragically disappeared.    I know I’ve seen her before, but can’t remember anything about her.    Was that Gaby Oliver from the Cochise College Apaches (10-26-25)?           

   

First Quarter

I missed a couple of baskets on this scorecard.    I was tired and not sharp and then I got depressed during the game.    “Y’all ready for this!” apparently I wasn’t, even with the exciting musical intro complete with steam jets for the team coming on to the court.    (I think the Men use them all the time.    Since they had them set up, they used them for the girls, too.)   

There was some strangeness before the game started.    There was a delay with the referees talking to both teams.    Imani hit a jumper to start the scoring for the game.    Or did she?    I noticed on the scoreboard that Ivane Tensaie on the Miners had 1 point.    Hmmm.    I remember a game once (I have no chance of finding it on the blog), where the game began with a technical foul before the tipoff.    It was like the visiting team wasn’t ready to start the game on time and got charged with a foul, but I remember they actually had to shoot the basket.    I didn’t notice anyone taking a shot before the game.   

Regardless, Emma made a hustle play on a loose ball.    She flipped it to Morane for a layup.    Imani then hit a 3 and it was looking good.    Portia Adams had two layups for UTEP and it was, 7-5 (with that unexplained extra point), with 5 minutes left in the quarter.    Senoj Jones had a layup and Lucia was fouled and made both free throws.    11-9 Aggies with 3’ left.   

During an extended break, broadcaster Adam Young and his color commentator were frantically trying to get the referees’ attention.    Finally, the head ref came over and talked to them.    I suspect this was about that UTEP point.    From the official scoring, it was a technical foul with no explanation.

This quarter was going pretty fast.    The Aggies were playing way up-tempo and shooting quick on their possessions.    Anna Csenyi made a 3 to make it, 14-11 Aggies with 2’ left. Imani and Miner Mary Amaniyo got involved in a vicious tie up.    Imani got the worst of it and had to come out after hitting her head on the court.    She seemed to attempt to go to the wrong bench and had to be led away.    A ball got tipped out-of-play and went down one of the tunnels.    A ref had to go get it.    Anna and Senoj combined on a block.    14-11 Aggies after 10 minutes.

Second Quarter

Tensaie made a 3 to start the quarter to tie it.    Wave the Wonder Dog came in.    I should have seriously considered changing seats for these basketball games to be close to him.    The Aggies went scoreless for 4 minutes before Lucia made a jumper, but UTEP was now ahead, 18-16 with 6’ left in the half.

During some Miner free throws, the Band would pipe up with helpful advice, such as, “Hey, your shoe’s untied!”    Anna and Imani made jumpers to tie it at 20 with 4’ left.    Heaven Samayoa-Mathis took a moonshot 3 that maybe bounced off the unit and dropped in.    It was that kind of game for UTEP.    After a Miner turnover, Lucia found Emma on a fast break for a layup, 22-23 UTEP with 3’ left.    Emma took a charge afterward.    She’s small, but tough.

Pistol Pete came in, though this was the mustache-less Pete.    This lends credence to the theory that he showed up late because of the game time change.    However, the other Pete might still be in therapy.    In play, Imani broke up a fast break under the basket and then hit a 3, 25-25 with 1’ left in the half.    Aolani Woldai knocked down Emma on a loose ball.    That looked like it hurt, but not enough for a flagrant foul upon review.    Wave was put on camera and got a big cheer from the crowd.    Mrs. Hubbard arrived.    Maybe she wasn’t sure about the new start time, either.    Her and Pete chatted for a moment.    On court, Keira hit a 3 at the buzzer.    28-29 UTEP at the half.

Halftime

The Sundancers put on hip hop pants and performed for the halftime show.    They were really good, but the music was terrible.    Wave was on camera for Dance Cam, while his entourage chatted with Pete.    The Cheerleaders handed out those souvenir cowboy hats.    I may have to try and get one of those   

Third Quarter

6’3” Miner NDack MBengue knocked down 5’3” Emma early in the quarter, but no foul was called.    Portia made a 3, Heaven went coast-to-coast for a layup, and Delma Zita hit another 3, all for UTEP.    In the meantime, Loes Rozing was the only one scoring for the Aggies with 3 jump shots.    It was 34-47 Miners with 4’ left in the quarter.   

A fan played the Matching Game and failed to match any of the 6 cards in the allotted time.    This was a first.    The Aggies kept falling further behind.    MBengue had a steal, a layup, and made a foul shot on top of it.    34-50 Miners with 3’ left.    Keira was fouled on a 3 and made all 3 foul shots.    Loes made her fourth jumper of the quarter.    Heaven made a last second shot tossing the ball up from under the basket and it went in.    It was UTEP’s day.    42-55 Miners.

           

Fourth Quarter               

Zita made a 3 to begin the quarter.    Emma answered it with a 3, but Heaven came right back with a 3.    Morane nearly got into a fight with one of the Miners under the basket.    Loes was restraining Morane.    The Miner player was smiling.    Another loose ball went down the tunnel.    I don’t think I’ve seen this before in a game and yet, I’ve seen it twice today.   

Keira hit another 3, but the crowd was starting to desert.    48-62 and UTEP was already starting to celebrate with 5’ left in the game.    Soon enough, Coach Adams started putting in the bench players.    Loes was still on the floor and made a steal and got a layup and Keira made another 3.    With under a minute left, UTEP Coach Adams took out all of the Miner starters.    The UTEP fans were pretty quiet during the game, but piped up here to cheer the team.  Tatiana Collazo was in for the Miners.    She was kind of gorgeous.    Sorry she wasn’t playing more.    UTEP wins 69-58.       

The Miners ran off the court howling.    The dejected Aggies went around the sidelines shaking hands and getting hugs.    A little bitty girl was there with an autograph poster and each of the players stopped and signed it.       

UTEP shot 46%, 87% on free throws, and had 32 points in the paint.    The Aggies shot 33%, 50% on 3’s, and 78% on free throws.    In my recap (such as it was), I didn’t mention all of the times that the Aggies missed open shots or took a good shot that just somehow didn’t fall in.    When you don’t make the easy ones, you don’t get the lucky ones.    Lucia Yenes not scoring was a big problem for the Aggies.    She was getting some open looks, but not making the shots.   

UTEP had five players in double figures.    Delma Zita led with 14 points, and NDack MBengue (too bad you can’t use proper names in Scrabble, this one would be a winner) had 13 points and 14 rebounds.    Keira Hudson led the Aggies with 15 points from 3 made 3’s and going 6 for 6 on free throws. Imani Warren and Loes Rozing both had 10 points.    Loes really stepped up in the third quarter, but nobody stepped up with her.   

Somewhat disheartened, I went over to Chik-fil-a for a late lunch.    I saw a small group of Aggie Volleyball girls there that I didn’t recognize.    I guess they’re newcomers.    The meal was great, at least.    It was bright and sunny, but I didn’t let that fool me into going to Baseball and instead went home.    I had the TV on for a couple of hours before I discovered I was missing a NASCAR race.    It had started before the game, so I had assumed it was long over.    They’d had some rain, I guess.    Shoot.   

I listened to Aggie Baseball on the radio, which they won.    Annoyingly, the Aggie Men’s Basketball game against UTEP was on at the same time and finished at the same time.    I only listened to bits of it.    The Aggies were up 10 to start the second half, 35-25.    At the end, it was a 4-point Aggie lead with 12 seconds left after Jemel Jones made a pair of free throws.    The Aggies held on and won this time, 67-63.    There was nearly a fight at the end of the game that was started by the coaches.    Security nearly got involved.    Attendance for the game was 7,600. When these two played in El Paso a couple of weeks ago, the crowd was 7,800, but El Paso is a much larger city.  Later, Coach Hooten was sure that the Pan-Am crowd was well under counted.

Tomorrow, I’ll hopefully be at Aggie Baseball finally for a ***day game.***