Raina Tomasicka poured in 24 points Monday, Nov. 2, but NM State women's basketball lost its season opener 61-56 to San Diego at the Pan American Center.

The game marked the first for head coach Adeniyi Amadou, who brought an almost entirely rebuilt roster and coaching staff onto the floor, according to NM State Athletics. All five Aggie starters made their first collegiate starts.

Tomasicka, a junior guard from Jekabpils, Latvia, set a new career high. Her 24 points were the most in an NM State debut since at least 2014, according to the program.

"Of course it's good to score the ball, but I would have been much happier with a win," Tomasicka said. "Even if I scored zero points and we got the win, the team performance takes priority."

Sophomore guard Lilyana Fontcha posted her first career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Aimée Michel also reached double figures, giving the Aggies three players with 10 or more points for the first time since Feb. 21, 2026, against UTEP.

"My teammates really push me," Fontcha said. "They tell me to go on the ball, be physical. They helped me to be able to put together that kind of performance tonight."

NM State jumped out to a 16-9 lead after the first quarter behind an early 8-0 run. The Aggies carried a 28-26 edge into halftime after Tomasicka hit a three-pointer with 1:03 left in the second quarter.

The third quarter swung the game. Both teams combined for 47 points in the frame. Tomasicka scored 12 in the period, but San Diego's Kiera Pemberton answered with 11. The Toreros took a 53-48 lead into the fourth.

Back-to-back scores by Tomasicka and Stacy Chovino cut the deficit to one at 53-52. That was as close as NM State would get. With just seven made baskets between the two teams in the fourth quarter, San Diego held on for the 61-56 win.

Amadou pointed to ball security as the difference.

"We have to continue improving our discipline, and reduce our turnovers," Amadou said. "That was a huge key to the game, especially those first couple quarters. We finished with 17, far too many and much more than we'd like to have."

Chovino posted six points, nine rebounds, one block and two steals in 31 minutes. Sophomore guard Talia Kavoka led the team with three assists.

The starting five of Kavoka, Eva Agba, Chovino, Michel and Fontcha all made their first collegiate starts. Four Aggies made their collegiate debuts: Chovino, Aissatou Keita, Imane Loubibet and Eva Hamlil.

NM State hosts Southern Utah on Friday, Nov. 6, at the Pan American Center. Tip-off is set for 11 a.m. MT, with the game streaming on ESPN+.