ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team (4-5) executed a 13-point victory over the visiting Miners of UTEP (2-6) on Sunday afternoon at WisePies Arena – The Pit to claim its fourth double-digit victory of the season.
The Lobos had one of their best games offensively as UNM shot 43.9 percent from the floor marking the first time since their trip to New Mexico State on Nov. 30 that they’ve shot over 40 percent this season – the fourth time overall in 2016-17. In addition, UNM went 10-of-29 from three-point range for 34.5 percent, the highest since their second game of the season over New Mexico State at home on Nov. 15, which was also the last time the Lobos made 10 three-pointers in a single game.
Leading the Lobos from behind the arc was junior Cherise Beynon who went 4-for-9 from long range and 10-for-18 overall for a total of 24 points to pace UNM. Beynon also rounded out her performance with six rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
In addition to Beynon’s outstanding performance, senior Richelle van der Keijl was the only Lobo to bring in a double-double on the afternoon with 18 points and 12 rebounds. She has now collected three double-doubles on the season and ties Beynon for second in the Mountain West in the category. In addition, van der Keijl tied her season-best four blocks on the day.
“I think for two and half quarters, we were really good on both offense and defense,” head coach Mike Bradbury said. “I think in the last quarter and half we lost our discipline a little bit but hopefully we can get that fixed this week in practice.”
Two more Lobos tallied double-figures against UTEP including freshman Mykiel Burleson (13) and Alex Lapeyrolerie (12). Lapeyrolerie was strong from three as she netted three shots from behind the arc while also serving as a key player on defense, collecting a season-high five rebounds. Burleson also posted a new career-high seven made free throws and three steals on Sunday.
The Lobos started out strong in the first quarter getting out to a five-point lead, 8-3, four minutes in. UTEP tied it twice before the Lobos got back out to a five-point lead when two straight UNM steals (sophomore Jaisa Nunn and junior Laneah Bryan) led to a quick three-pointer from Beynon, 15-10 with 2:35 left in the first.
UNM continued its momentum in the second quarter getting out to a 12-point lead, 34-22, before extending it to 15 on a three from junior Jayda Bovero, 37-22. The teams traded baskets in the final 1:47 of the half but a long three with just four seconds left in the half by Burleson sent the teams into halftime with UNM up by a 19-point margin, 48-29.
In the first half, the Lobos were shooting 43.8 percent from three-point range compared to 25 for UTEP. From the floor UNM was shooting 51.4 percent to just 40.6 for the Miners. UNM also led in second-chance points 12-2 and fast-break points 17-4. Three Lobos had already reached double-figures including van der Keijl (10), Beynon (14) and Burleson (10).
Beynon came out with a quick eight points in the second half, including a layup and two three-pointers to put UNM up by 25 within the first two minutes as part of a 7-0 Lobo run. It was then that the Lobo energy began to fizzle and UTEP slowly chipped away at the lead. UTEP went on a 6-0 run over 1:50 to cut the lead back to 16, 59-43. van der Keijl put up one more layup to send the Lobos to the fourth quarter with an 18-point lead.
UTEP outscored the Lobos in the fourth, 23-18 in large part due to four straight three-pointers from the Miners to close the game. The late push wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit, however as UNM still claimed the 13-point game.
Overall, UNM outshot UTEP 43.9 percent to 37.7 percent despite the Miners outshooting the Lobos 35.0 to 34.5 percent from three and 70.0 to 52.4 percent from the charity stripe.
UTEP’s top scorer was Tamara Seda, who registered a double-double with19 points and 16 assists. Sparkle Taylor, the Miners’ leading scorer on the season (14.9) was the second-highest scorer for UTEP with 14 points.
The Lobos return to action on Sunday, Dec. 18 at WisePies Arena – The Pit as they take on Eastern Illinois at 2 p.m.