Battle of unbeatens Sunday as Lobos host Navy

New Mexico vs. Navy
1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017
Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit
Ticket special: $5 TICKETS FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL – BENCHES ROWS 1-25

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — There are just 14 undefeated teams remaining in NCAA Division I women’s basketball – and two will square off 1 p.m. Sunday at Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit.

The University of New Mexico looks to equal its longest winning streak in program history at 11 games against a Navy team that’s 9-0 on the season.
 

We have a battle of the unbeatens 1 p.m. Sunday at Dreamstyle Arena as your 10-0 Lobos look to tie the longest winning streak in program history against 9-0 Navy! @UNMLoboWBB #GoLobos #KeepHowling pic.twitter.com/PMSffy7GCD

— New Mexico Lobos (@UNMLOBOS) December 9, 2017

The Lobos, who won 11 games in a row in both 2003-04 and 1977-78, made history Wednesday night at home against Texas Tech during their 90-56 win as the victory moved UNM to 10-0 – the best start in program history.

The Lobos outscored Texas Tech 76-44 over the final three quarters – including 53-29 in a second half that saw UNM commit just three turnovers (the Lobos committed seven turnovers in the game). UNM forced the Red Raiders into 20 turnovers and outscored Texas Tech 28-2 in points off turnovers (also 30-9 on fastbreak points).

Though Texas Tech had a significant height advantage, the Lobos were outrebounded by just one rebound at 44-43. Also, despite shooting 6-for-20 from 3-point range (and was 4-for-18 until Emily Lines hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the final two minutes of the game), the Lobos made up for it by going 18-for-21 from the free-throw line.

UNM’s defense held Texas Tech to 37.9 percent shooting from the field (25-for-66) and 15 percent from 3-point range (3-for-20).

Cherise Beynon paced UNM with 21 points to go along with seven rebounds, six assists and four steals. Tesha Buck had 20 points and seven rebounds while Jaisa Nunn had her sixth double-double of the season (tied for eighth in the nation) with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Navy heads into Sunday’s matchup undefeated as well after beating Richmond 76-56 on the road Wednesday night – just its second road contest of the season. UNM will be the Midshipmen’s second Mountain West opponent as Navy defeated winless Air Force at home 71-64 on Nov. 22.

Like the Lobos, Navy isn’t only undefeated but is beating teams by a significant margin at 19.8 points per game this season after Wednesday night’s 20-point win over Richmond. Also like UNM, turnover margin has been heavily in Navy’s favor as the Mids are averaging 5.6 less turnovers per game than their opponent (20.4-14.8).

The Mids have three players averaging double figures, led by Taylor Dunham at 13.3 points per game followed by Albuquerque native Hannah Fenske at 13.3 and Morgan Taylor off the bench at 11.7 points per game.

It’s also been a balanced effort by Navy as nine players are averaging 14.3 minutes or more per game with nobody averaging more than 24.7.

SERIES HISTORY
This will be the first meeting between New Mexico and Navy.
 
THE COACHES
The Lobos are led by head coach Mike Bradbury in his second season with UNM, his 11th season overall. Bradbury posts a career record of 203-132 and is 25-15 at the helm of the Lobos.

Navy is coached by Stefanie Pemper who is in her 10th season with the Mids and owns a 181-114 record. Overall this is Pemper’s 20th season as a collegiate coach as she’s 416-162.
 
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Sunday’s game will be available to watch live on the Mountain West Network. Fans can also follow live via live stats (click here) or fans can also listen in on the radio. Josh Suchon and Lobo basketball alum Nikki Lobato will be on the call on 610 AM (click here to listen).