Cowgirls open season with commanding win over Cameron University

By Lee Begaye
Special to the Times

LAS VEGAS, N.M.

The New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls didn’t waste a second in showing who they intend to be this season.

After splitting a pair of exhibition games against NAIA Northern New Mexico College and Division I New Mexico State University, Highlands returned to the John A. Wilson Complex on Friday night and opened their regular season with a convincing 78–62 win over Cameron University in the South Central Regional Crossover Challenge.

Sophomore guard Kapiolani Anitielu wasted no time launching her All-RMAC campaign, leading all scorers with 19 points and 10 rebounds, controlling the boards and the tempo from start to finish. She was backed by a balanced Cowgirls offense — junior guard Aspen Salazar poured in 18 points, while junior guard Kimora McClure and senior forward Hailey Long added 12 each.

Highlands played short-handed, missing starting junior guard Jaelyn Bates, who was out with an injury and remains without a timeline for return.

The Cowgirls opened the game with a blistering 12–0 run, holding Cameron scoreless for nearly two and a half minutes. Highlands’ energy, pressure, and transition offense dictated the pace through the opening quarter, shooting 8-of-17 (47%) to take a 22–15 lead.

Sophomore forward Aniya Johnson drew the start but saw limited minutes afterward, attempting no shots and finishing with one turnover before remaining on the bench.

For Cameron, sophomore forward Madison Griggs kept the Lady Aggies competitive with 21 points, while senior forward Kloe Heidebrecht added 11.

Hailey Long came off the bench and lit up the gym in the second quarter, drilling back-to-back 3-pointers to stretch the lead to 30–18. Highlands outscored Cameron 17–12 in the period, taking a 39–27 advantage into halftime.

The third quarter opened with a one-two punch from Kapiolani Anitielu and Long, each scoring four points and swiping a steal during an 8–4 opening burst. Sophomore Kamalani Anitielu joined the run with a layup — her only bucket of the game — as Highlands extended the margin and outpaced Cameron 21–16 in the frame to make it 60–46.

With the game firmly in hand, the Cowgirls shifted into cruise control in the fourth, trading baskets and being outscored slightly 19–18, but never losing their grip on momentum.

Highlands closed out the night shooting 29-of-69 (42%) from the field and 8-of-26 (30.8%) from beyond the arc.

The Cowgirls return to the court on Saturday, Nov. 22 facing Western New Mexico in Silver City at 12:00 p.m. in a rematch from last Saturday’s 106-40 win over the Mustangs of WNM.

Get instant access to this story by purchasing one of our many e-edition subscriptions HERE at our Navajo Times Store.

---