Jan. 5, 2008

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico - Robyn Fairbanks had 24 points and seven rebounds but New Mexico State ended Utah Valley's four-game winning streak with a 82-73 win on Saturday afternoon in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Sandy Marvin added 13 and Julie McMurray 10 for the Wolverines (13-4) while Anikia Jawara led New Mexico State (11-3) with 18 points. Sherell Neal had 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Aggies while Hannah Spanich also had a double-double with 14 points and 12 boards. NMSU out-rebounded Utah Valley 44-34, including a 19-11 edge on the offensive glass that led to 19 second chance points.

Utah Valley jumped out quickly on the Aggies, building a 22-11 lead after a McMurray bucket with just over 10 minutes left in the half.

New Mexico State then went on a 19-3 run, started by consecutive three-pointers from Irma Kmitaite-Smith and Monique Bribiescas, to take a 30-25 lead.

The lead was five for NMSU before two Marvin free-throws and a Fairbanks bucket closed UV to within one, 36-35, at the half.

The Wolverines trailed 40-38 early in the second half when Fairbanks hit one of her three three-pointers followed by two Jordyn Bowen free-throws to put UV up 43-40. From there though, New Mexico State went on a quick 14-1 run to take a 54-44 lead that had the Wolverines playing catch-up the rest of the way.

UV got within five with 1:40 left after a long three by Asumi Nakayama, but that's as close as they'd come as the Aggies even the all-time series between the two teams at one win apiece.

Bowen had seven points and two steals for the Wolverines and Susie Cornejo came off the bench to contribute five points and six rebounds.

The Wolverines will travel to Colorado to face Denver University on Tuesday night at 7pm. Following that game UV will be off until the 24th of January, when they travel to CSU Bakersfield.