CEDAR CITY – Southern Utah women's basketball stuck with New Mexico to open the game before the Aggies took a shooting spree, which guided them to an 81-64 victory.

Southern Utah launched a six-point run to open the game before back-to-back three's from Marquelle Funk extended SUU's lead, 12-6. New Mexico State battled back to clench its first lead of the game at 15-14.

The Aggies held a four point lead before a pair of free-throws from Brenna Gates cut New Mexico State's lead to two. The game tied at 27 before a drive from Iva Georgieva regained SUU's lead. New Mexico State fired through the remainder of the half with a 20-2 run to lead 47-31 at halftime.

“We're really struggling with our subbing. Not so much who is coming in, but just keeping the same energy. It's a lack of intensity by the whole team,” Mandelko stated. “It needs to improve in order to win games.”

Funk led the Thunderbirds in the first half with nine points as Gates and Jessica Richardson each tacked on six.

SUU took off in the second half with a 10-6 rally, including three's from Jackson and Mandelko, to cut New Mexico State's lead to 12. The Aggies gained a 24-point lead with just over eight minutes to play.

A layup from Jackson followed by a three from Mandelko cut the Aggie's lead to 16. New Mexico State held onto its lead, wrapping up the game with an 81-64 win. The Aggies finished the game shooting 15-30 from beyond the arch.

“They made the extra pass, got hot, and hit threes. We didn't adjust,” head coach Chris Boettcher said. “Once we get down by 10 points or so, it seems like we aren't able to maintain control and the tempo of the game.”

Mandelko led Southern Utah with 15 points as Funk and Jackson added 14 and 11, respectively.
Southern Utah will launch Big Sky play on Thursday, Jan. 1, by tipping off against Portland State at 7 p.m.