CU visits WNMU for conference opener

For Immediate Release

December 6, 2019

Cameron University Athletics

Kenton Means – Sports Information Director

 

LAWTON, Okla. – After wrapping up their non-conference slate last week, the Aggie women’s basketball team begins Lone Star Conference play at Western New Mexico.

Game Information:
12/7 – Cameron at Western New Mexico | Silver City, N.M. at 3 p.m. (CT) | Live Stats | Live Video | Game Notes

Starting 5: 
1. Cameron went 1-5 during their 2019-20 non-conference slate with a pair of loses to teams currently ranked in the WBCA Top-25 Poll; this is the longest CU has gone before getting their second win since 2016-17.
2. Stephanie Peterson broke out for 19 points against a ranked Southwestern Oklahoma State team last time out; the freshman was 8-14 (3-6 from three) from the floor and also had five rebounds and two steals in the loss.
3. Senior Ava Battese made her 2019-20 debut against the Bulldogs, scoring 13 points, blocking two shots, and recording a steal in 20 minutes of action; the CU program leader for three-point field goals knocked down three triples in the game to give her 224 for her career.
4. Despite turning the ball over 21.4 times per game this season, Western New Mexico owns a 3-2 win-loss record and are outscoring their opponents by an average of 7.8 points per game.
5. Senior forward Alicia Mardis has been a force for WNMU in their first five games, averaging 12.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.4 steals while shooting over 57 percent from the floor; she already has two double-doubles on the season.

Last time out: 
Cameron faced a tough task in their last game against No. 25 Southwestern Oklahoma State last Wednesday. Both teams played a sloppy first half and at the break CU trailed by just two, 34-32. SWOSU started flexing their muscle in the third quarter, outscoring CU 32-14, and would carry that momentum into a 92-67 win in the Aggie Gym.

The Aggies shot just 37.5 percent from the floor while going 8-31 from three and 5-10 from the charity stripe. They also turned the ball over 27 times, which resulted in 26 points for their opponents, who shot 45.6 percent from the field and was 25-32 from the foul line.

Freshman Stephanie Peterson had her best game of her short CU career against the Bulldogs. The Broomfield, Colo. native scored 19 points while going 8-14 from the field and 3-6 from long range. Peterson also chipped in five rebounds, two steals, a block, and an assist in the loss. Additionally, senior Ava Battese dropped 13 points with three made treys in her first game of the season, while fellow fourth-year player Amaka Nwakamma added 10 points, five boards, and two takeaways.

About the Aggies: 
With their loss to SWOSU last week, Cameron enters LSC play with a 1-5 record on the season. They are scoring 61.7 points per game, but giving up over 86 per outing to their opposition. CU enters league play shooting the rock at a 35 percent clip while going 27.6 percent from three and 74 percent from the foul line, which is third best in the conference. They trail their opponents in the rebounding battle by 5.5 boards per game, while turning the ball over 21.3 times per outing, compared to the 14.5 giveaways by the opposing teams. Defensively, the Aggies average 7.2 steals and 3.0 blocks per game and teams are shooting over 47 percent from the field against them.

Sophomore Maighan Hedge leads the squad and is ranked sixth in the LSC with 15.2 points per contest. The Aussie is also averaged 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting over 36 percent from three and 87.5 percent from the free throw line. Also averaging double-figures is Nwakamma, who records 11.0 points per night while also bringing in 4.3 rebounds per game. Freshman guard Kami Porter leads CU with 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per outing to go along with her 9.5 scoring average.

Scouting the Mustangs: 
Western New Mexico has gotten off to a 3-2 start this season with wins over New Mexico Highlands, Northern Mexico College, and Sul Ross State. They are also 0-1 to start their LSC slate, losing to UT Permian Basin 73-54 on Nov. 23. Most recently, the Mustangs fell in an exhibition against Division I New Mexico State 75-56 after trailing by just three at halftime. On the season, WNMU is averaging right around 65 points per game while shooting 42.3 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from three-point range.

Mardis leads the squad with 12.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, while shooting well over 50 percent from the field. Additionally, Alexis Jones scores 11.2 points per outing, and had a season-best 18 points on 8-8 shooting in the win over Sul Ross.

Who has next:
The Black and Gold will be back on the road next Saturday, Dec. 14, as they visit UT Permian Basin for their second straight road Lone Star Conference matchup. CU will then close out the calendar year at home with league contests against Lubbock Christian, Dec. 19, and Angelo State, Dec. 21.

 

Kenton Means

Sports Information Director – Cameron University

2800 W. Gore Blvd., South Shepler 512

Lawton, OK 73505

Office – (580) 581-2303

Cell – (580) 583-2210

Fax – (580) 581-5537

CAMERONAGGIES.COM