ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — After getting out to a 21-6 lead in the first quarter, The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team (2-3) fell to the Hawks of Saint Joseph’s (2-4) by a final score of 79-67 in the consolation game of the 2016 Lobo Thanksgiving Tournament. Senior Richelle van der Keijl was named to the All-Tournament team for her efforts that included 36 points (18.0 avg.), 24 rebounds (12.0 avg.) and six blocks over the two games.
St. Joseph’s claimed third place in the tournament with the win while BYU earned the overall victory with a 2-0 tournament record over St. Joseph’s and Tulsa. BYU’s Kristine Nielson was named Tournament MVP.
The Lobos were up by a commanding 15-point margin in the first quarter, including an 8-0 run to open the game, and even led by 11 at the half before Saint Joseph’s ran away with the game in the third and fourth quarters.
“I thought St. Joe’s executed their offense really well in the second half,” head coach Mike Bradbury said. We couldn’t guard them, we didn’t guard them, and therefore they shot about 60 percent in the second half (66.7%) and that was the difference.
“We have to go back to what we did in the summer and fall, just learning how to work harder. Our competitive spirit has to be much better, that’s it.”
The Lobos were led by junior Cherise Beynon who scored a season-high 18 points. She also racked up nine rebounds (1 off., 8 def.), seven assists and one steal.
Beynon was followed by van der Keijl and sophomore Jaisa Nunn who each posted 15 points. Neither Lobo is a stranger to double figures as both have scored 10+ points in four of their five games this season. van der Keijl also tallied seven boards and three blocks while Nunn registered eight rebounds and a career-best seven made free throws.
The Lobos got out to a strong start that included a 21-6 lead in the first quarter. Beynon scored seven while van der Keijl netted six to pace New Mexico. Redshirt-junior Alex Lapeyrolerie scored a three-pointer to give UNM a 15-point advantage (20-5) as the Lobos closed the quarter on a 13-2 run over the last 4:40.
The Lobos started out strong in the second quarter as well, but SJU began to chip away at the UNM lead. The Hawks cut the deficit as low as seven twice in the frame but the teams went into the locker room at the half with the Lobos up by 11, 39-28.
The third quarter marked the beginning of the end for the Lobos as the Hawks cut the difference to just one, 43-42 at the six-minute mark. Following a Lobo timeout, SJU’s Alyssa Monaghan hit a jumper to give St. Joseph’s the lead but back-to-back free throws by Beynon turned it back over to the Lobos. Nunn scored four straight points to give UNM a five-point cushion but the Hawks responded and went on a 10-0 run over the last 4:13 of the quarter for a 54-49 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Hawks took the lead and never looked back as they outscored UNM 25-18 in the final quarter for the eventual 12-point victory, 79-67. Twelve points is the largest winning margin of a Lobo opponent this season.
New Mexico will return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 30, as the team hits the road for Las Cruces to play NM State at 5:30 p.m. for the second time this season. Last time the Lobos faced the Aggies, UNM claimed an 84-55 win at WisePies Arena – The Pit.
2016 Lobo Thanksgiving All-Tournament Team
Kristine Nielson – BYU
Kalani Purcell – BYU
Erika Wakefield – Tulsa
Jessica Pongonis – Tulsa
Chelsea Woods – SJU
Richelle van der Keijl – UNM
Most Valuable Player – Kristine Nielson – BYU