Aggies handle Highlands

PUEBLO, Colo. -- The Cameron University Aggies and New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls locked horns in the opening game of the 2008 Al Kaly Shrine Classic at Massari Arena on Friday Afternoon.  Highlands ran out to an early lead before a stingy Cameron defense -- which sparked 22 Cowgirl turnovers -- helped escort the Aggies to a 77-67 victory.

Good dribble penetration and some flashes of outside shooting helped the Cowgirls hold the lead for much of the first period, and Pasha Cornish led all scorers at the break with nine points.

However, once Cameron started double teaming the Cowgirl ball handlers in the backcourt, the dynamic changed.  Twelve first half Cowgirl turnovers helped un-do much of Highlands’ progress, and the Aggies also took advantage of a pronounced advantage in foul calls.  Cameron went 12-16 from the stripe in the first half, helping Cameron to overtake the Cowgirls’ just before halftime.

Highlands ran off a 7-0 run to start the second half, but Cameron started pressuring again and climbed back into the game.  Tera Tremayne shook off a poor shooting day and helped organize the Aggies’ attack during the nume rous back and forth segments of the game, and guard Kristi Taylor pushed ahead whenever possible on the fast break.

The Cowgirls, who were paced by Cornish’s 15 points, faded once the Aggies started to tighten up defensively.  Two Cameron defensive stops with about six minutes remaining in the period proved to be crucial, and gave the Aggies the bit of separation they needed.  With 4:20 left in the half, the team took a 68-58 lead which would not be threatened for the rest of the game.