The University of the Southwest Women's basketball team traveled up to Las Vegas, NM yesterday to take on NCAA Division II New Mexico Highlands University. The game featured the Cowgirls from NMHU who came into the contest (0-2) and the Mustangs from USW who entered (0-4). Both teams are off to a bit of a slow start and were hungry for their first victory of the year. 
 
The game started with both teams trading baskets and was tight throughout the first quarter with Highlands leading 15-13 after one quarter. The second quarter was much of the same with the teams going back and forth and Highlands outscoring USW 18-14 and taking a narrow 33-27 lead to the half. In the second half, the Mustangs were unable to find their rhythm offensively and the Cowgirls were able to extend their lead because of this. The Mustangs shot only 19% from the field in the second half and were 0 for 6 from the three-point line which ultimately led to their demise. NMHU was able to come away with a 66-47 victory over the Mustangs. Harlei Haceesa was the lone Mustang in double figures with 10 points on 4 of 7 from the field. 
 
Head Coach Michael Dominguez had some thoughts on the contest saying "For most of the game, I felt like we had every opportunity to win the game and just couldn't capitalize. The majority of the game we were within 6-10 points and towards the end, we just ran out of steam. We have to limit turnovers and get on the boards if we want to be successful. Some positives would be that our help-side rotation was way better than what we've shown all year. So, we're progressing in that area. It was also nice to see a lot of girls get in the game and play solid minutes. It takes time to turn over a program and we have to keep preaching what we're preaching if we want to make a change and stick to our core values as a team. As we learn more and more, we will eventually get things going in the right direction."
 
The Mustangs will be back in action this weekend as they head to Alpine, TX to take part in the Sul Ross Classic. They will take on Texas Lutheran University on Saturday afternoon and Southwestern University on Sunday afternoon.