NM State Aggies vs Utah Tech Trailblazers Women’s Basketball 1-14-23

 

Though we went .500 last weekend at Aggie Women’s and Men’s Basketball, Ron was eager to return to the Pan-Am Center for another Basketball double header.  I was less so, but there was nothing on TV that evening, so why not?  Everything started off well with a great meal at Whataburger.  Even better at the ticket office, the $10 ticket deal was still in effect for this game to see the Men later. 

 

Unfortunately, all of the KISS-inspired Football team posters were gone.  I was going to get one for a co-worker that’s a fan of the band.  Maybe I can get one at the Downtown Football rally next weekend.  Earlier in the week, Coach Kill on the Aggie Coach’s Show gave Coach Adams and the Women’s team a shout-out.  It’s always good to see the coaches supporting each other. 

 

For the Anthem today, the NMSU ROTC Color Guard came out on court.  The Aggies were no-shows.  Today’s opponents, the Utah Tech Trailblazers, stayed on court.  They put their hands on each other’s shoulders in a line.  The crowd was a bit low (attendance 493).  There were NFL playoffs on today.  One of the games was on the TV’s in the suites.  The Band still wasn’t back, but the spirit squads and Pistol Pete were.

 

For the team, Moe Shida and Sabou Gueye were back and ready to play.  Lucia Yenes was out.  She was there, but possibly getting over illness.  The ladies were coming off a road win earlier in the week.  Ashlee Strawbridge had a career game with 13 points in only 15 minutes of play!  UTT looked a little undersized compared to the Texans last week, but were rather attractive, including one of their assistant coaches.  Their team had a fun little routine going when they came out for player introductions.      

 

First Quarter

Tayelin Grays got the rebound and a layup off a Molly Kaiser miss for the Aggies’ first points.  UTT missed three quick 3’s to start the game.  They finally hit one on their fifth try.  Unfortunately, the Aggies really weren’t able to capitalize on the misses.  Ene Adams was denied on two layups, before finally connecting on the team’s third trip down court.  It was 4-7 UTT when the Media timeout hit at the five-minute mark.

 

Even early on, it was obvious this refereeing crew was going to let the girls play.  Several potential fouls were ignored.  I’m not sure there was a single travel call this game.  Taylor Donaldson found Shania Harper inside to put the Aggies up 8-7, but the Trailblazers came back with a pair of layups to retake the lead.  Moe came in and was ferocious on defense, but was scored on. 

 

It was 8-14 and the Aggies took a timeout at the two-minute mark.  Moe came out and was given a lecture by Coach Adams.  After trading some more baskets, UTT finished with a basket at the buzzer.  There was a foul on the play that the ref’s reviewed.  The Cheerleaders had to be waved off court for a free throw.  12-19 UTT after 10 minutes.

   

Second Quarter

Two groups of girls were in attendance.  One was some little girls up by the concourse.  Then there was a team of teen girls behind the north basket.  I didn’t figure out what team.  The Trailblazers started off with an easy layup.  Molly had a steal, but missed the layup.  This was followed by two more missed shots on the possession, before Tayelin got the rebound and made a 3.  Ole’!  UTT got another easy layup.  It was 15-23 with 7 minutes left. 

 

Sylena Peterson had a hard collision under the net with a Trailblazer.  They were both okay, but Sy came right out.  Soufia Inoussa made a steal, but ended up on the floor after a missed shot.  UTT came right back with a 3 on the return trip.  21-27 with 4 minutes left.  Timeout.

 

Brooke Vance, a pretty blonde for UTT, banked a 3 in and was fouled, but missed the free throw.  The Aggies trapped and got the turnover, which led to a Tayelin layup.  Molly drew a charge in the lane and was laid out flat for the Purple Heart.  The Aggies finished the half down 25-30.

 

Halftime

The group of little girls came down to the court to perform as a dance team.  I think they were from 3 to 11 in age.  The Sundancers looked on and the cheered the girls.  It was adorable.  A fan next to us asked me what the team’s records were.  I borrowed Ron’s phone and it took me way too long to give him the information.

 

Third Quarter

I noticed Deshawndre Washington and Mady Traore from the Men’s team were sitting in the Student Section watching.  They were hard to miss, especially 7’ Mady.  Soufia got a steal and a layup to start it off for the Aggies.  Harper made a great block, but picked up her third foul in the process.  A couple of Aggie turnovers were converted by UTT.  It was 27-37 UTT with 6 minutes.  Timeout Aggies.

 

The Aggies came out trying to trap again, but it resulted in an easy layup for the Trailblazers.  The Aggies started working their way back.  Tayelin hit a jumper.  Molly made a steal, got a layup, and got a free throw.  32-39 after 5 minutes, but UTT came back with a pair of 3’s.  32-45 with 4 minutes left.  The Aggies were full-court pressing. 

 

Molly hit a jumper.  There was a quick announcement that it was her 500-th college point.  Soufia hit Tayelin, who was cutting to the basket, for a layup, but then the team gave up another easy layup to the Trailblazers.  Tayelin hit a 3 for her 16-th point and had a block.  She’s really finally coming into her own this season.  Moe was back in and also hit a 3, however UTT got two more easy layups.  Taylor tipped a ball and Molly made off with it.  Tayelin made two free throws to end the quarter.  46-51 going into the final quarter.

 

Fourth Quarter

Volleyball Coach Jordan was up hiding at the top of the lower bowl near the concourse.  Maybe he doesn’t have anything better to do and likes watching Aggie sports.  The two guys from the Basketball team were still watching.  Didn’t they need to get ready for their game? 

 

Soufia hit a 3 to start.  Tayelin made a tip and caused a turnover.  The crowd was into it now and was leading the cheering.  The Aggies picked up a couple of fouls defending.  Tayelin made another block.  Moe had been running the point for most of the half.  The Coach’s talk apparently worked.  She made a no-look pass to Taylor under the basket.  She missed the shot, but Tayelin got the put-back.  51-53 with 7 minutes left.

 

UTT roared back with a couple of layups.  The Aggies took a timeout.  I noticed broadcaster Jack Nixon was chatting with Jessica Covington, the Cheerleading coach.  She seems to be friends with everybody.  Meanwhile, the guy next to me got up and danced for Flex Cam.  He really hammed it up.  Back to play, Sy made a 3 and Molly took another charge in the lane.  Sylenna made a steal at midcourt.  Moe grabbed the loose ball afterward and made a layup.  56-57 with 4 minutes left.

 

Sy took what looked like a sock to the mouth defending the basket.  To add insult, she also picked up a foul and had to come out to check on her injury.  Moe found Tayelin under the basket, who made it 58-60 with 3 minutes left.  Timeout UTT.  The guy basketball players finally left at this point. 

 

Trailblazer Breaunna Gillen committed a foul back in play.  During the stoppage, she made a real effort to lobby the ref.  After a 3, UTT was up 60-65 with 2 minutes left.  There was a brief stoppage as Tayelin came out to get bandaged on a cut.  At the press table, Jack was watching the game intently, probably mentally calling the game.  Sy hit Molly on a fast break for a layup and a foul, 63-65 with 40 seconds left.

 

Both teams traded timeouts during the free throw.  The whole Men’s team was watching from the wings, waiting to warmup.  Molly made a steal on the inbounds, took a foul, and drained both free throws.  We were tied at 65 with 36 seconds.  There was a held ball that went to UTT.  The crowd disapproved.  AD Mario Moccia was up in arms on the sidelines. 

 

The Trailblazers held the ball to take as much time off the clock as possible.  Breaunna made a jumper at the shot clock buzzer.  The refs made a review to check the clock.  They determined there were 4 seconds left.  Sylena took a final shot just past midcourt that hit the rim.  It was just like a couple of weeks ago against Southern Utah.  UTT wins 65-67.

 

The team went around the sidelines in a grim procession.  The crowd cheered and applauded their effort.  I think it picked the girls up a bit.  Ene came by limping.  I was wondering why she never came back in.       

 

Utah Tech had four players in double figures lead by Breaunna Gillen with 19 points.  Tayelin Grays led the Aggies and everyone with 22 points.  She also had 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.  Molly Kaiser had 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 steals. 

 

Perhaps the key stat was the shooting percentage: UTT 51% to Aggies 30%.  All those easy layups . . .  The Aggies were up in some stats: 82% to 50% in free throws, 10 turnovers to 21, 14 steals to 8, and 17 to 6 in offensive rebounds.  (Again, that’s a double-edged sword stat.  It means you’re missing a lot.) 

 

There was no time to ruminate.  Aggie Men’s Basketball would be starting shortly.

Baby Talk 2: You and Your Contented Baby Part 2

Here's some more pages with the hot mom from the 60's.  Is this advice still good?  I don't know.

 

Baby Talk 1: You and Your Contented Baby Part 1

I finally went through a bundle of pregnancy material that mom had saved.  It turned out to be more interesting than I thought it would be.  This first booklet was from Carnation from 1965.  It had a rather pleasant-looking cover.

Then I looked inside and realized the cover model was based on an actual woman.  Hubba hubba.

Colorado Scenic Cards

These little (2" x 3") cards were in with the postcards.  They're cute, though I don't know how or why they were sold in this format.

Royal Gorge Bridge.

Grand Lake and Mt. Baldy.

Pike's Peak.

Monarch Pass.

Black Canon National Monument.  (I've never heard of this place.)

Pike's Peak and Gateway of the Garden of the Gods.

Mt. Sierra Blanca.

 

NM State Aggies vs CBU Lancers Men’s Basketball 1-7-23 Part 2

 

Part 1

 

Halftime

I don’t have any interesting out-of-town scores here.  The kids from the Cheerleader camp performed again, as they did at the Women’s game.  Once again, the Cheerleaders dragged out the big heavy mats and dragged them back off.  What a day it’s been for them and the Pan Am support staff.  The best I can say about this double header format is that the media crew only has to set up once.  (They come in in the morning to do it.)  I don’t know if this does anything for attendance at either game.  (The kids and their parents boosted attendance for these two games.)

 

Jack Nixon broke down the two relevant stats regarding CBU’s 20-27 lead over the Aggies.  Rebounds were 24 to 10 and second chance points were 12 to 0, all in favor of the Lancers.  I’m reminded of the Women’s basketball game a couple of weeks ago, where the Aggies heavily outrebounded offensively, but in their case, they didn’t convert those to points enough.  The PA played the Macarena in the break.  Two dudes who looked like the least likely to perform were featured on camera doing an excellent job of it.  You can’t judge a book by its cover.

 

Second Half

It was a rocky start . . . for Jack and Anita Skipper.  They complained that Coach Heiar was in their way as the teams had switched ends.  CBU picked up where they left off with a 3.  Chi Chi Avery answered with a 3.  Deshawndre Washington popped a jumper and made a hook layup to close the score to 27-32 CBU. 

 

Timeout on the court and there was a $5k half-court fan shot.  He hit the rim.  Deshawndre put in a pair of free throws to keep up his scoring.  Unfortunately, 7’ Mady Traore jumped on the back of a Lancer who’d just made a shot, resulting in a 3-point play.  James Beck made a 3 to keep the Aggies in it at 32-37 with 13 minutes left.

 

Deshawndre came back with a layup.  He’d scored 11 and the crowd was into it.  He came out and CBU went on a run.  They hit a 3 and got fouled and got the ball back for a layup, 34-42 with 12 minutes left.  Xavier Pinson put in a 3, his first points of the game.  Timeout.  The T-shirt cannon came out on the floor, but only pointed to other side of the court.  (I don’t need even one more t-shirt.  Stop it, J!)   

 

Beck was called for going over the back.  Jack was befuddled, as Beck was in front of the Lancer player.  The crowd was as well and let the refs know it.  After another CBU 3, it was 37-45 with 11 minutes left.  Beck came back with a steal and was fouled going to the basket.  He sank his throws to make it 41-45. 

 

Pinson tipped a CBU pass, but was called for a backcourt violation.  The crowd disagreed again and started getting ugly with the refs.  Pinson found Issa Muhammad for a dunk.  43-46 and the crowd was into it again.  Beck made a reverse layup, but was called for traveling.  The refs weren’t going to be getting any rides home from the fans tonight. 

 

Issa came back with a layup to make it 45-46.  The crowd began a spontaneous, “Let’s go, Aggies!” chant.  Unfortunately, Issa had a turnover that the Lancers converted on to make it 45-48 with 7 minutes left.  Timeout.  The section next to us won free Raising Canes.  That was also the $10 section Ron and I considered buying into before I got free tickets.  There was also a promo for Twisted Tea.  A guy guzzled a can live on camera. 

 

Deshawndre put in two free throws to get the Aggies within 1 again.  CBU answered with an immediate 3.  The Lancers kept getting a man open behind the arc for the entire game.  Though they had two players with four fouls, CBU still kept up the defensive pressure.  They put in a couple more free throws and another 3.  It was 47-56 with 6 minutes left.  Timeout Aggies.

 

Some fans started leaving.  I can’t entirely blame them.  The Aggies started a full court press, but the Lancers broke it for an easy layup and a foul.  Okay, we can stop with the play-by-play now.  During a break, the Cheerleaders started handing out Whataburger coupons.  I didn’t look at it until later.  OMG, it was for a free burger, no purchase necessary (but I’d buy some fries with it).  Sorry those people left early.  The crowd was deserting after this.  Chi Chi put in a 3 and Quaye Gordon made a steal on a backcourt trap for the last Aggie highlights.   61-70 CBU wins. 

 

We lost to a bunch of white guys?  If they couldn’t jump, they sure could shoot from the outside.  Anita said in the pregame that the team needed to play with “controlled desperation.”  The Aggies didn’t roll over tonight and played hard, but they weren’t doing it with “desperation.” 

 

The crowd energy was way different than at the Women’s Basketball game or at Volleyball.  It felt like it was more than just having more people.  Anita felt the crowd energy needed to be better when the team was down.  Coach Jordan with Volleyball has said the same.  When the team is up, the crowd rolls, but when the team is down, it’s harder to move the masses. 

 

For the final stats, Riley Battin had 18 points and Taran Armstrong had 10 points for the Lancers.  Aggie Deshawndre Washington led all scorers with 20 points.  Issa Muhammad had 10 points and 9 rebounds.  It was 12 to 5 in 3’s, 34-25 in rebounds, 11-6 in offensive rebounds, and 23-3 in second chance points.  All of those stats were in favor of CBU.

 

Ron and I listened to the postgame on the way back to my apartment.  Coach Heiar seemed befuddled in his interview.  He knows his coaching methods work (at least at the Junior College level, where he won a National Championship).  His strange subbing strategy at the beginning of the game was an attempt to get the players who personally got along with each to gel as a unit.  Coach Adams had been doing full-five subbing with her team earlier in the season, but probably not because they didn’t get along with each other.

 

AD Mario Moccia also talked about the team’s troubles on the Aggies Coaches Show the next week.  He said Heiar is using the same methods as Coach Jans, which worked to a WAC championship and an NCAA tournament win last season.  Mario blamed the mass exodus of players when Jans left via the transfer portal.  Heiar was nearly entirely rebuilding the team from scratch.  Of course, having some off court problems has likely impacted the team worse.  The team has plenty of talent.  Hopefully, they get tired of losing and come together as a team soon.        

NM State Aggies vs CBU Lancers Men’s Basketball 1-7-23 Part 1

I suppose I’m going to have to address the Aggie Men’s Basketball scandal, since I’m finally covering one of their games.  There was a fight in the stands at the Aggie/Lobo Football game here in Las Cruces last year.  This apparently involved some of the Basketball team and some Lobo students. 

 

Right before the basketball teams were set to meet in Albuquerque, Mike Peake on the Aggie team was lured out the hotel after midnight by an under-aged girl.  This turned out to be a trap by three Lobo students, and it turned tragic as one of the students shot Peake.  In turn, Peake, who was also armed, shot back and killed one of the students.  And just to make this story worse, Peake called for help from his team.  Three teammates showed up and they attempted to clean up the crime scene.  This got more people in trouble with the police.

 

Peake is recovering and suspended from the team.  The girl and two of the UNM students have been charged.  The Aggie/Lobo Basketball games were cancelled, which was probably a good thing for the Aggies as the Lobos are really good this year.  Three players were forced to sit out a game for breaking curfew, which likely cost the team a win.  Anthony Roy can only play home games for the team and can’t leave the state.  And, the team has a losing record and is winless in four conference games (spoilers). 

 

No, I’m not quite buying the official story as it currently stands.  Who takes a gun to a 3:00am hookup in Albuquerque unless a drug deal is involved?  I’m having a hard time seeing an inter-school rivalry turning into an elaborate revenge scenario gunfight.  Something’s missing, but it’ll have to wait for a trial to come out. 

 

The effect on the team has been devastating.  The incident may have turned them against each other after Peake was suspended.  Coach Heiar and the university had initially supported Peake, but then suspended him.  This might have caused some bad blood.  Players may also be blaming each other.  There’s more than enough talent on the team for them to have a better record.  They may have lost confidence in the coach and each other and it’s too late for this season.  They were picked for second in the conference and now they’re going to have to struggle to make the tournament.

 

Well, this is a train wreck of a game recap.  (Worse than my usual.)  By the way, I think what I put up here is correct (or a clear opinion).  I might be off on the particulars, but you’re getting the gist of the story.  From here, we’ll just recap the game.

 

Ron and I had just finished watching the Aggie Women win their game.  At work on Friday, I ran into Chuck (who we’ve gone to Chihuahuas games with), and he said he’d been invited up to the new Pan-Am suites.  This left him with his two season tickets, which he gave to me.  We’d kind of decided not to stay for the Men’s game beforehand, but with free tickets, sure.  The seats were on the other side of the court from where we were.  They were up behind the Aggie bench.

 

I’d offered to get Ron something from the Concessions, but amazingly, he was still full from his sandwich from Roadrunner Pizza.  I was hungry.  The grill stall was open and I stood in line, but I saw someone with a small Papa John’s pizza box like they sell at the football games.  I didn’t see it listed on the menu, so I took off around the building trying to find the pizza seller.  No luck.  Now, I’d actually worked up an appetite.  I picked up a pretzel and a drink. 

 

Dejected, I went back to the seats.  I saw a couple of people bring down pizza boxes, which irritated the hell out of me.  Ron was amused.  A girl brought down a burger from the grill, which looked pretty good.  (And they’re $5.  No, I don’t know why I didn’t go back and get one.)  We could see into the suites from where we were.  They were now filled.  I could have watched the NFL game on the TV’s inside.  I eventually saw Chuck up there and waved, but he wasn’t looking our way.  (I also ran into two other co-workers at the game.)  Women’s Basketball Coach Adams would be in a nearby suite later and watch some of the game. 

 

I’d called Ron before he left to pick me up and told him to make sure to bring his radio so he could hear the Men’s game call with Jack Nixon and Anita Skipper, whom I’d raved about.  He brought it, but forgot to charge it.  He got it charged in the car and brought it in.  When he took it out for the game, it was dead.  He’d accidentally turned it on during the Women’s game.  It just wasn’t meant to be.                        

 

Well I got to listen to the pregame at least.  Jack and Anita started off chatting with Coach Adams about her Women’s game win.  It was better than talking about the Men’s team.  The Aggie Men are in the cellar of the WAC with two other teams after a three-game losing streak.  Jack also fielded a loose ball from CBU’s warmup and tossed it back to them.  He’s pretty sharp for . . . whatever age he is.  (Hasn’t he been doing this since the 70’s?  Or does it just feel like it?)  AD Mario Moccia came on.  I had trouble hearing over the crowd noise, but he complained about the facilities, about the team losing players to the transfer portal, and said that Mike Peake was doing better, but still recovering. 

 

There was a good crowd of over 5,000.  The lower bowl filled up pretty well.  There were people in the Student Section, who probably weren’t students.  I saw a couple of Women’s players in the crowd.  The local girl, Janessa Johnson, was with her family.  Kiwi Ashlee Strawbridge was with a couple of other young women who looked familiar (former players?).  Ashlee later brought in a full-size pizza.  Now that one looked it came from Lorenzo’s and was delivered.  

 

First Half

Gasp!  CBU started five white guys!  Four of them were from Australia.  (Two are from Tasmania, which isn’t a separate country.  I didn’t know it was a basketball hotbed, but there are living dinosaurs there.  Really.  I have it on good authority.)  The other player is from Utah.  The Aggies started what felt like a smaller lineup.  (Translation: Issa Muhammad didn’t start.) 

 

After two minutes of play, Coach Heiar sent in the “bigs” (Issa and newcomer 7’ Mady Traore) and changed out all five players.  There was also a fashion change, as Anthony Roy was wearing a pastel green shone and a pastel pink shoe.  Bold.  (Miami Vice inspired, perhaps?)  The personnel change didn’t matter.  It was 0-8 CBU after 3 minutes, thanks to a couple of made 3’s.  Timeout Aggies.

 

There's Issa and Ighoefe (not to scale)

Doctor Bradley got the Aggies on the board with a bump of a CBU player, a steal, and a layup, but the Lancers answered with another 3, 2-11.  Deshawndre Washington made a downcourt pass to Mady for a layup.  Doctor made another steal with a layup to get it to 8-11 with 14 minutes left.  The crowd was into it.  Coach Heiar was about to send in the first five again, but called them back.  He would change them out at the next timeout a couple of minutes later.  CBU would put in three black players to prevent a protest from forming, including Timothy Ighoefe, a monstrously huge individual.  He even looked over and out-muscled Issa.

 

Unfortunately, the Aggies fell behind again, 9-18, 9 minutes left in the half.  The Coach subbed out five again.  CBU followed suit and also changed out five.  Associate Coach Dominique Taylor at the front end of the bench looked like he was about to jump on to the court.  At the other end of the bench, Analyst Johnny McCants was giving a stern lecture to one of the freshmen.  Deshawndre hit a 3 and a goaltend on Ighoefe got the Aggies to 14-20 with 7 minutes left. 

 

In the timeout that followed, Megan McCormick, came out on the sidelines for a report.  Oooh.  We appreciate her reporting, even if we can’t hear a word of it.  She also spoke to Mario at halftime.  On this subject, a couple of very hot, fashionable young women sitting near bench would walk up the stairs periodically as a complete distraction.  I don't know what their relationship is to the team.  Directly below me, there was a guy keeping score with a pencil on the program.  Like I said previously, I gave up doing that since there isn’t a scorecard on the program. 

 

Coach Heiar was stalking up and down the bench talking.  He stopped and seemed to be talking to Roy, but he wasn’t listening.  This isn’t exceptional player behavior during a game in any sport.  Issa drained two free throws and made a layup to close the score to 18-22 with 3 minutes left.  After an Aggie player nearly fell over the press table, Anita said he was trying to come in and start calling the game.  Jack offered that she should go in and help with the team’s shooting.  (Anita is the Aggies’ all-time leading scorer.)  There was also a Lorenzo’s Pizza giveaway to the crowd.  A kid below us got one from the Cheerleaders by holding up a sign.

 

CBU Coach Rick Croy was putting on an interpretive dance show on the other side of the court.  He stamped up and down on the court after an empty possession.  With the Aggies, Issa missed the next two shots.  Jack remarked, “Issa’s cooled off, but doesn’t know it yet.”  Xavier Pinson came up with a steal and passed to Quaye Gordon on a fast break for a layup.  The crowd was up and standing at this point and cheering as the score was 20-22 with a minute left.  But CBU came right back with a 3 and a layup to end the half up 20-27.

 

Part2   

NM State Aggies vs Tarleton Texans Women’s Basketball 1-7-23

 

A recent Best of the City poll (Las Cruces, New Mexico) said that our old friends at Roadrunner Pizza had the best pizza and the best subs in town.  Ron and I had noticed their sandwich menu before, but now we had a mandate, which we exercised this Saturday afternoon.  In short, they were pricy, but excellent.  Ron's various meat sub filled him up (a nearly impossible task) and he raved about it.  I got the meatball that I've been looking for for years.  We’ll have to try this again. 

Our bellies' full, we took off for our double header of Aggie Basketball.  I was given tickets to the Men's game at work, which would follow this late afternoon Women's game.  At the Pan-Am Center, I made a quick trip to the ticket office.  I'd seen a marketing promo that there were posters available commemorating Aggie Football's bowl win.  Indeed there was and the KISS-inspired poster was cool.  (Unfortunately, I don't have my cubicle anymore at work to put it up.  I'll find space at home.)

 

Moe Shida was back on court.  That was the good news, but the bad was that she was in sweats and wouldn't be playing.  Two other Aggies were out for the game: Sabou Gueye and Fama Thiam.  One of them was in a boot (I’m not sure which), so she's gone for the season.  The Aggies would be short-handed, but the Tarleton Texans had a losing record and were winless in WAC play.  Their team looked big and tall warming up, but that didn't show up in the game.  (Thankfully, their listed 6'6” player wasn't playing.)

 

The NMSU students were still on break.  The Band wasn't here for today's games, but the Sundancers, Cheerleaders, and Pistol Pete were.  They were going to have a long evening.  That attractive camera girl from last time was here and had redone her long chestnut hair into flowing waves.  If you think I was looking too much, I'm not sure Ron saw the game.  His head was turned for two straight hours. 

 

There was a really good crowd of 880.  A bunch of kids were present for the halftime show.  A family or group of 20 Aggie fans came in together and sat up behind the visitor’s bench.  They were hard to miss.  One of the new suites was occupied during the game.  There was a group of cheering young women behind us. 

 

Volleyball Coach Mike Jordan and his family were here in the mostly vacant Student Section.  I think he spoke to the players before the game and gave them a little “pep” talk.  (All of the girls seemed to have some trouble hearing when they came out on court.  I’m just kidding here.)  A steady stream of people went up to chat with the coach, including a long animated talk with the Cheerleaders' coach. 

 

Tarleton brought their own radio announcer.  That doesn't seem to happen often with visiting teams.  The Aggies' intro video was new.  I miss the previous song, but the new one was good and upbeat.  They worked in Lucia Yenes' behind the back pass play, of course, as well as that great give-and-go play.  Tayelin Grays was starting.  She'd had a career game earlier in the week with 18 points when the team got the win over Utah Valley.

 

First Quarter

The Aggies scored the first two baskets and were showing good defense.  Molly Kaiser made a steal and blocked a shot on a Texan fast break.  It was 6-4 Aggies after 5 minutes.  Sometimes, these Women's games start off real slow.  The refs seemed to signal a foul at this point, but actually they were just stopping play for a media timeout.

 

During the break, Taylor Donaldson was getting treatment on the trainer's table on her legs.  She'd come back in later.  A senior guy caught a t-shirt tossed by the Cheerleaders.  He gave it to a senior lady.  That was nice of him.  I noticed a patch of sunlight from an open door working its way around some seats on the other side of the arena. 

 

Tayelin poked a ball loose and stripped another.  Molly came up with a steal, stripped a ball, and made another block.  Shania Harper scored her sixth point.  It was 10-6 Aggies at the end of the quarter.  “Not very high scoring,” Ron commented.

 

Second Quarter

In the break, Moe was on camera briefly, along with the other girls on the bench.  She was all smiles and adorable.  Back to play, Soufia Inoussa made a steal and passed to Tayelin on a fast break.  Tayelin got pushed into a photographer on the sideline.  Everyone was okay and Tay knocked down the throws. 

 

With 7 minutes left, we had our first and only (?) traveling call.  Either the players were doing better or it really depends on who is calling the game.  Lucia came in.  She immediately took a high-arcing shot from under the basketball and the ball dropped in.  She just has a knack for finding the basket. 

 

It was 19-14 Aggies with 4 minutes left when they went to a Media timeout.  The Texans closed in with a 3 by Starr Omozee.  The Aggies took a timeout with 3 minutes left.  Little girls started gathering courtside for the halftime show.  One of the Cheerleaders ran over to get a little girl from the stands and held her hand to bring her to the group.  It was so wholesome.  On court, Molly hit a last second layup to make it 26-19 Aggies at the half.

 

Halftime

The little girls were there from an Aggie Cheerleading camp.  The Cheerleaders rolled out big heavy mats on the court for the performance.  A bunch of moms had their smartphones out to record it.  The little girls did some cheers and tumbling.  Some older girls did some impressive flips.  The Cheerleaders were all smiles.  They looked like they were having a good time working with the kids.  Afterward, the Cheerleaders rolled up the big heavy mats and pushed them off court.  Keep in mind, this whole act was repeated during halftime of the Men’s game.

 

Third Quarter

Harper made a tip for a steal and batted away another pass for a steal.  Ene Adams made another steal.  It was a defensive show.  Molly made a great pass to Taylor under the basket for 2.  Ene made a scoop layup.  35-20 with 6 minutes left and Tarleton took a timeout. 

 

Taylor found Tayelin for a layup out of the break.  Soufia sank a 3.  There was a Media timeout and it was 40-20 with 5 minutes left.  An energetic little girl courtside won the Fan of the Game award.  Too cute.  Some of the Men’s Basketball team was watching from the Student Section. 

 

Mason Jones for the Texans hit a deep 3.  I admit I was kind of rooting for her.  She’s not short, but looked way too thin to be out there on court.  Sylena Peterson made a layup and drew a foul.  She missed the free throw, but grabbed her own rebound.  She also had a steal directly out of the hands of a Texan player.  Ene went to the floor wrestling for a loose ball.  The girls were determined to win.  46-25 Aggies after three quarters.

 

Fourth Quarter

Maybe the Aggies were fighting a little too hard for the win.  Harper picked up her third foul and Ene, her fourth.  This allowed the Texans to mount a run.  It was 48-32 with 8 minutes left and Coach Adams called a timeout. 

 

A Cheerleader ran out flipping on court by herself.  A few moments later the rest of the squad joined her.  There might have been confusion on whether it was a full break or not.  Mrs. Hubbard graced us with her presence at courtside. The Men’s opponents tonight, CBU, might have been watching up by the concourse.  Jack Nixon came in.  He looked like he had just stepped out of the 1970’s with that business jacket.  (Still a broadcasting legend.) 

 

Jones fouled out.  She may have been thin, but she was hardnosed.  Ene fouled out as she had trouble guarding the Texans’ big player (6’4”) Nyajah Mitchels in the paint.  Sianny Sanchez-Oliver came in at 57-34 with 4 minutes left.  Nyajah, a foot taller, picked up a flagrant foul tossing her to the floor.  Coach Adams talked to Sianny on the sidelines during the break, probably to calm her down.  Lucina was in and hit a long 2.  She also had an assist to Harper on the basket. 

 

61-39 Aggies with 2 minutes left.  With a minute left, local player, Janessa Johnson, came in to a cheer from the fans.  She did make a steal.  Ashlee Strawbridge had a block.  The regulars were out, except for Sylena.  The starters were going crazy for the bench players.  Jenna Dick hit a last second 3 for the Texans.  61-43 Aggies was the final.

        

Molly Kaiser led all scorers with 13 points.  Taylor Donaldson and Shania Harper both had 11 points.  Harper also had 10 rebounds.  For the Texans, Mayra Caicedo and Nyajah Mitchels both had 10 points.  Your probable telling stat of the game was 46% to 33% shooting in favor of the Aggies.  It was a good effort by the team to dominate a lesser opponent today. 

 

However, the real reason for the victory was that I remembered to wear the white souvenir hat.  I think they’re undefeated when I’m wearing it.  Ron and I gave up our seats to head to the other side of the arena for the ***Men’s Basketball game against CBU.***