Northern New Mexico Nips Lady Stallions in a Nail-Biter at The Stable
Written by Rev. Justin C. Jackson
In a contest where the stakes were as high as the rafters at The Stable, the Lady Stallions of North American University couldn't quite corral the visiting Northern New Mexico Eagles, falling 58-51 in a heart-thumping NAIA clash on December 16, 2024.
The Lady Stallions stampeded out the gates, galloping to a commanding 20-12 lead after the first quarter. But as the game wore on, Northern New Mexico adjusted their reins and clawed their way back, fueled by a potent combination of sharpshooting and gritty defense.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
- 1st Quarter: The Lady Stallions flexed their might, with Elisa "Lady E" Peralta conducting a high-energy offense that set the tone early.
- 2nd Quarter: Northern New Mexico regrouped, tightening their defense and outscoring the Lady Stallions 13-9, trimming the lead at halftime.
- 3rd Quarter: The Eagles soared high, outpacing the Lady Stallions 18-10 behind the hot hand of Gillian Roybal, who drained five triples like they were layups.
- 4th Quarter: Despite a spirited effort led by Maurdaisha "Dynamite" Powell, who exploded for key buckets and steals, the Lady Stallions couldn't lasso the Eagles, falling short by seven points.
Shining Stars
Northern New Mexico
- Gillian Roybal: Her sizzling 17 points, including a scorching 5-for-9 from downtown, proved to be the dagger.
- Ethena Silva: A double-double threat all game, she tallied 11 points and wrangled 9 rebounds.
- Miranda Salazar: The floor general's 10 rebounds and 8 assists kept the Eagles soaring.
North American
- Maurdaisha "Dynamite" Powell: Boom! She kept the Lady Stallions in striking distance with 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals.
- Keasia "Dominator" Robinson: Towering above the competition, she chipped in 10 points and 4 rebounds.
- Elisa "Lady E" Peralta: With 8 points and 8 boards, she orchestrated a balanced attack.
Game Stats That Tell the Tale
- Shooting Struggles: North American hit 25% from the field compared to the Eagles' 35.7%.
- Rebounding Battle: The Lady Stallions dominated the glass, pulling down 45 boards to the Eagles' 40.
- Turnover Trouble: North American turned it over 14 times, half of Northern New Mexico's 25, but couldn't capitalize enough on those opportunities.
Looking Ahead: Texas College Showdown
Up next for the Lady Stallions is none other than the fiery rivalry with Texas College, a battle sure to bring the house down. The Steers, led by Coach Jamal Evans—dubbed "The Dean of Students" for his disciplined, academic-like approach to the game—are stampeding into town with momentum and a reputation for crashing the boards. He is the Dean of Students and is in Charge of the Student Activities Department, where our Sports Information Director worked alongside, the great Dean and Texas College legend, Dr. Issac Williams.
Texas College's Strengths:
- Rebounding Dominance: They live for second-chance opportunities.
- Stifling Defense: Their ability to force turnovers and lock down opponents is unmatched.
- Depth and Versatility: The Steers can call on a herd of players to step up in clutch moments.
Coach Evans' philosophy mirrors our own Coach N. Davis—player development, resilience, and teamwork rule the day. This matchup is shaping into a chess game with sneakers, where every possession counts.
The Call to Action
Lady Stallion Nation, it's time to saddle up and pack The Stable! Bring your cheers, chants, and unbridled energy as we face our biggest rivals in a battle for pride, redemption, and conference standing. Remember: Get those 4-fingered hooves up and Goooooooo Stallionsssss!!!!
This barn burner will tip off at 5:30 PM Thursday and trust me, you don't want to miss this showdown. Be there or be a triangle—180 degrees (half a square).
