Lobos look to move up in MW, host UNLV Wednesday
New Mexico (16-3, 4-2) vs. UNLV (8-7, 3-1)
7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018
Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team looks to move up in the Mountain West standings as the Lobos host UNLV 7 p.m. Wednesday at Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit.
UNM at 16-3 overall and 4-2 in Mountain West play sits in a tie for third place in the conference, a game behind UNLV which is 8-7 overall and 3-1 in conference play. Wyoming tops the conference at 4-1 in MW play.
The Lobos snapped its first two-game losing skid of the season by leading Fresno State wire-to-wire and defeating the Bulldogs 88-75 on Saturday afternoon at Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit.
The Lobos, who scored 16 seconds into the game and led the rest of the way, were able to break the two-game skid thanks to going 9-for-23 from 3-point range (39.1 percent) a game after going 3-for-16 against Wyoming in a loss in Laramie on Wednesday night. It also didn’t hurt that the Lobos went 17-for-18 from the free throw line as well on Saturday.
Cherise Beynon and Jaisa Nunn each finished with a double-double as Beynon had 20 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds while Nunn finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and two steals. Tesha Buck had 18 points, five assists and five rebounds, Lapeyrolerie had 14 points and five rebounds while N’Dea Flye had 12 points, six rebounds and a pair of assists.
UNLV has won three games in a row, but hasn’t played since beating last-place Air Force 69-57 at home on Jan. 10. The Rebels had four players finish in double figures with Brooke Johnson leading the way with 20 points to go along with five assists. Katie Powell had 19 points, six rebounds and three blocks, Paris Strawther had 15 points, nine rebounds and five steals while Jordyn Bell had 10 points.
The Rebels are a team that makes up for its lower shooting percentage (38 percent from the field – 10th in the MW; 25.5 percent from 3-point range – last in the MW) by pounding the offensive glass as UNLV leads the MW at 14.8 offensive rebounds game. The Rebels also lead the conference in rebounds per game (42.4) and are second in rebounding margin (plus-5.9).
Brooke Johnson leads the Rebels in scoring at 15.5 points per game and is the team’s top 3-point threat (28-for-87, 32.2 percent). She also leads the team with 57 assists and 28 steals. Katie Powell is second on the team in scoring (14.5) and leads the team and is second in the MW in rebounding at 9.3 per game to go along with a team-best 18 blocks.
SERIES HISTORY
The Lobos are 23-33 against UNLV all-time, but are 14-9 at home against the Rebels. UNM has dropped three straight to UNLV, including losing last season 56-42 in Las Vegas and 61-52 at home. UNM’s last win against UNLV came Jan. 13, 2016 – a 67-53 win in Albuquerque.
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 209-135 and is 31-18 at the helm of the Lobos.
UNLV is coached by Kathy Olivier and she’s 146-153 in her 10th season with the Rebels and is 378-361 in her 25th season as a collegiate head coach.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Wednesday’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).