The intra-state rivalry between New Mexico Highlands and Western New Mexico is a heated one, but even that couldn't keep Western's women's basketball team in the game as the Cowgirls defeated the Mustangs 79-52 on Drag's Court Saturday night. Highlands improved to 9-8 overall (5-8, RMAC) while the Mustangs lost their 16^th game of the season.

The visitors dominated the boards, racking up 24 offensive rebounds which netted them 32 second-chance points, which was too many chances for the Mustangs to give up to their talented rivals. Both teams were luke-warm in shooting the ball, with Highlands hitting their mark just 37 percent of the time while Western shot 36 percent.

The Mustangs shot just 59% from the free throw line and a dismal 12% from beyond the arc.

Highlands out-scored Western 39-26 in the first half and improved the margin to 40-26 in the second stanza.

Western was led by Desiree Young (North Ogden, UT/Weber High School) with 12 points, while Kassie Scott (El Paso, TX/Coronado High School) added 11.

Alyssa Lopez paced the Cowgirls with 24.

The Mustangs will try to break the winless jinx on next Friday as UC-Colorado Springs heads to Silver City.  The Mountain Lions handed the Lady Stangs a 23-point loss in the Springs, last month.

Game time is set for 5:30pm, with men's team to follow immediately after.