LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Kennesaw State women's basketball was unable to overcome cold shooting and turnover trouble in a 52-40 defeat to New Mexico State on Thursday night at the Pan American Center.
First Half
The first half contained a tale of two quarters, with KSU leading 20-11 after one and NM State responding to outscore the Owls 18-7 in the second.
Keyarah Berry scored 10 of KSU's first 12 points as the Owls sprinted out to a 12-2 lead. A
Shania Nichols' 3-pointer and a
Latazia Williamson 3-point play extended the KSU lead to a game-high 14 at 18-4 with two minutes left in the first.
The Owls' 20-11 first-quarter lead came as they shot 47% from the field with 13 points off seven Aggie turnovers.
NM State countered with a 10-2 run over the late first and early second quarter. Nichols scored in the fastbreak, and
Mame Kane drained a turnaround jumper to keep KSU in front until the Aggies took the lead in the last minute for a 29-27 lead at the break.
KSU's 27% second-quarter shooting and nine turnovers in the period gave way to NM State's 41%. The Owls held a 20-14 rebounding advantage at the break but allowed 17 points on 15 turnovers. After 10 points in the first quarter, Berry went scoreless in the second.
Second Half
Both teams traded buckets over the first four minutes of the half. Williamson, Berry and
Trynce Taylor each scored to square the game at 33 at the 6:58 mark of the third.
NM State capped the quarter with a 10-0 run. The Aggies shot 7-of-16 from the field in the third while KSU went 3-of-14.
A scoring drought of over eight minutes undid the Owls' comeback hopes as NM State remained in front throughout the fourth for the 52-40 win.
Game Notes
- The Owls' loss, coupled with UTEP's 66-64 win over Jax State on Thursday, sends KSU (12-15, 5-11) to 11th in the Conference USA standings. The top 10 teams in the league advance to the 2026 Air National Guard CUSA Women's Basketball Championship held March 10-14 at Propst Arena in Huntsville, Alabama.
- KSU shot 31% from the field to the Aggies' 42.
- Twenty-seven Owl turnovers led to 26 NM State points. KSU scored 18 points off 21 Aggie turnovers.
- The Owls outrebounded NM State 35-33 and held a 10-5 advantage in second-chance scoring.
- With 12 points on the night, Berry recorded her 50th career double-figure-scoring game.
- Berry's three steals give her 57 on the season, enough to surpass Kristina Wells (2011-12) for ninth at KSU in Division I-era (2005-pres.) single-season steals.
- Berry also surpassed Deandrea Sawyers (2013-17) for sixth at KSU in DI-era career free throws made, now with 215 as an Owl.
Next Time Out
KSU concludes its western road trip in El Paso, Texas, on Saturday. Watch the Owls face UTEP live from the Don Haskins Center on
ESPN+ at 4 p.m. EST.
The Owls Fund
The Owls Fund is the primary fundraising arm of Kennesaw State Athletics with the goal of supporting our student-athletes, coaches and each of our 18 NCAA Division I programs. Through initiatives such as Legacy Lockers, the Dot Martin Scholarship Golf Classic, sport-specific giving opportunities, general donations and season tickets, The Owls Fund connects fans with KSU's programs and student-athletes. Members receive exclusive benefits such as hospitality seating areas and events at Kennesaw State home games, and more. Join The Owls Fund here and discover more opportunities on how you can support Kennesaw State Athletics.
