SILVER CITY, N.M. – Texas A&M International women's basketball closed its road trip on Saturday against Western New Mexico, but a late bucket by the Mustangs upended the Dustdevils 51-50.
 
TAMIU (11-9, 4-8 LSC) held the edge early, leading 12-9 through the first quarter
 
The Dustdevils would open the second quarter with an 8-0 run over the opening 4:43 seconds to lead 20-9, but Western New Mexico (5-12, 3-9 LSC) outscore TAMIU 16-5 the rest of the way to send the teams to a 25-25 halftime score.
 
Out of the break, the Mustangs would extend its 8-0 run to end the second quarter to 15-1, after a 7-1 run opened the third to gain a six-point lead and ultimately hold a 38-31 lead through three.
 
In the fourth, the Dustdevils began to chip away and by the 2:29 mark regained the lead at 44-42.
 
Up 50-47 with 1:08 remaining, TAMIU was held scoreless, missing two late free-throws to make the score a three-point lead again, then a late jumper by WNMU would seal the deal, as the Dustdevils missed a last second three.
 
For the game, TAMIU shot 38% (19-for-50) from the floor, and 5-for-16 (31.3%) from deep. From the charity stripe, TAMIU went 7-for-11.
 
On the other side, the Mustangs shot just 38.5% (20-for-52) from the field, 5-for-21 (23.8%) from three and were 6-for-10 at the charity stripe.
 
Junior Rai Brown led the way offensively with 19 points and three rebounds, as the only player to hit double-figures.
 
Freshman Meli Hornedo followed with nine points, while junior Marija Bakic chipped in eight points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals.
 
The Dustdevils return home looking to re-enter the win column when they meet St. Mary's on Thursday, Jan. 26 for a 6 p.m. tip in the KCB.