Written by: Jason Groves/Sun-News Reporter
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - This season has been no surprise for New Mexico State University women's basketball coach Darin Spence.
With a home victory tonight against Western Athletic Conference rival Hawaii, the Aggies will secure their first winning record since the 2002-03 season.
In order to do so, the Aggies (14-5, 4-2 WAC) will have to avoid a mini-slump after losing two of their last three on the road, most recently, an 83-76 overtime loss at Nevada. The Aggies led most of the way and by as many as 14 in the first half.
"We competed, but we didn't do enough to win," Spence said. "In the second half, we kept going inside, but we weren't getting to the free-throw line like we were in the first half. Once they knew were weren't getting fouled, they could start pressuring our guards more."
Not only are the wins evidence of an improved program, but Spence points to the losses.
"We are in every game," he said.
Two of the Aggies' five losses came in overtime and all five losses have been by either six or seven points.
"Knock on wood, but I hope that we are past those 20-point losses on the road," Spence said.
Hawaii (8-11, 2-4) and NMSU split the regular season series last year with each team winning on the road.
This year's Rainbow Wahine are led by one of the top rebounders in the country. Senior forward Tanya Smith was named the WAC Player of the Week for the second time this season after a career night against Idaho. Smith scored 14 points and pulled down 25 rebounds, setting a new record for rebounds in a WAC game. Smith leads the WAC in rebounding (12.3) and blocked shots (1.79) and is second in the nation behind Oklahoma's Courtney Paris.
Spence has added some size to his starting lineup. In two games on the road last week, Spence started 6-foot-4 junior Niki Holt along with seniors Sherell Neal and Anikia Jawara.
Carla Denning had been starting at the center spot, but Spence said Holt presents more of a threat offensively.
"She shoots it pretty well and is a better offensive player," Spence said.
Perhaps the added size can help keep Smith off the boards tonight.
"We just have to be aware of where she is," Spence said. "We have to make her chase us around more and get her tired at the other end. Our quickness has given Hawaii problems."
In the backcourt, Spence said freshman point guard Brittany Palmer has developed to the point where her minutes could increase, opening things up for Madison Spence to play the shooting guard.
After three straight games on the road, Aggies players are glad to be back at the Pan American Center, where they are 10-1 this season.
"We talk about why we get up in games and then all of a sudden, we lose," NMSU sophomore guard Hannah Spanich said. "As a team, we need to be more disciplined."
The Aggies hope that approach will carry them through their remaining nine games.
Tonight's game begins at 7:05 p.m. in the Pan American Center.
Jason Groves can be reached at jgroves@lcsun-news.com
