Hobbs, New Mexico – February 13, 2025 – In a thrilling conference showdown, Southwest came up just short against Louisiana Christian, falling 82-80 in a game that came down to the final moments. Despite a strong offensive showing and a second-quarter surge, the Mustangs were unable to hold off the Wildcats in a back-and-forth battle.

Game Recap: A Tale of Momentum Swings

Both teams started evenly matched in the first quarter, finishing tied at 16 apiece. However, Southwest exploded in the second period, outscoring Louisiana Christian 30-20 behind strong shooting and aggressive play in the paint. The Mustangs carried a 46-36 lead into halftime, fueled by dominant performances from Milinda Arguellez and Briana Montoya.

The Wildcats, however, regrouped after the break, finding their rhythm in the third quarter. They outscored Southwest 24-15, closing the gap to just one point heading into the final frame. The Mustangs struggled with shot efficiency in the second half, finishing the night shooting 39.2% from the field compared to Louisiana Christian's 49.2%.

In the final period, both teams battled for control, but clutch shooting and solid free-throw execution (13-of-15, 86.7%) helped Louisiana Christian escape with the narrow two-point victory.

Standout Performances

• Milinda Arguellez was sensational, leading all scorers with 31 points, while adding eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal.
• Briana Montoya provided a spark with 15 points, knocking down five three-pointers.
• Michaela Ray contributed 10 points, shooting an efficient 5-of-7 from the floor.

Key Team Stats

• Southwest: Shot 39.2% from the field and 37.9% from three-point range (11-of-29).
• Rebounding Battle: Southwest edged Louisiana Christian 37-33, including 17 offensive rebounds.
• Turnovers: Southwest had 16 turnovers compared to Louisiana Christian's 14..