Preview: UC Irvine at New Mexico State Women’s Basketball

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (Interstat) — A surging UC Irvine women’s basketball team will look to extend its winning streak when it visits struggling New Mexico State on Tuesday night at the Pan American Center.

The Anteaters (9-2) enter on a seven-game win streak, their latest a 77-57 rout of California Baptist on Saturday. They have dominated during the run, winning by an average margin of 22.3 points.

New Mexico State (2-6) snapped a five-game skid with a 58-55 road win at Utah Tech on Dec. 6, its most recent outing. The Aggies have struggled at home, losing both contests in University Park this season by a combined 53 points.

The matchup features a stark contrast in offensive production. UC Irvine averages 72.5 points per game, while New Mexico State averages just 54.6.

A key player to watch is UC Irvine guard Hunter Hernandez, who has been on a scoring tear. She dropped 27 points in the win over California Baptist and poured in a season-high 31 points with eight rebounds in a victory at Cal State Northridge on Dec. 6. Over the last seven games, Hernandez is averaging 19.3 points.

For New Mexico State, guard Keira Hudson provided a spark off the bench in the win at Utah Tech, scoring a team-high 16 points in 22 minutes. She will need to replicate that performance for the Aggies to keep pace.

UC Irvine’s balanced attack also features consistent contributors Lauryn Madsen and Jada Wynn, who each added 12 points against Cal Baptist.

This is the final non-conference road test for the Anteaters before opening Big West play on Jan. 1. New Mexico State continues a tough pre-conference slate before its Conference USA opener on Jan. 2.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST Tuesday.