LAS VEGAS (AP) Freshman Brooke Salas scored 20, Sasha Weber added 16 points and top-seeded New Mexico State cruised to an 80-53 victory over Texas Rio Grande Valley in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament championship game to advance to the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive season.
Weber was named the tournament's MVP.
New Mexico State (26-4) led by as many as 20 in the first half and was never threatened. The Vaqueros (19-13) used a 10-run in the third period to cut their deficit to 54-42, but the Aggies extended their lead to 19 midway through the fourth.
Salas was 9-of-14 shooting and frequently scored on drives to the basket. Weber was on target from outside, making 4 of 9 3-pointers. Shanice Davis added 11 points for the Aggies, who shot 48 percent for the game (30 of 62).
Anushka Maldonado led Rio Grande Valley with 14. Hildur Bjorg Kjartansdottir had 10 points and nine rebounds.
