Lobos face Utah State in Logan on Wednesday
New Mexico (19-7, 7-6) at Utah St. (5-19, 3-10)
7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018
Dee Glen Smith Spectrum – Logan, Utah
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team goes for its second win in a row and its third in its last four games when the Lobos travel to take on Utah State 7 p.m. Wednesday.
UNM defeated Utah State just two weeks ago 80-47 in Albuquerque as four Lobos finished in double figures – Jaisa Nunn (20 points, 12 rebounds), Tesha Buck (15 points), Madi Washington (15 points) and Alex Lapeyrolerie (11 points).
The last time out for the Lobos they rallied from a 48-44 fourth-quarter deficit by ending the game on a 13-1 run – including a crucial four-point play from Laneah Bryan – to defeat a scrappy Air Force squad 57-49 Saturday afternoon at Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit.
UNM called timeout with 5:56 remaining after a 5-0 run by Air Force gave the Falcons a 48-44 advantage. Out of the timeout, Tesha Buck found Jaisa Nunn under the basket and she scored as she was fouled (she missed the free throw) to cut the deficit to 48-46. Following a stop on the defensive end on Air Force’s next possession is when UNM’s key momentum-shifting play of the game came.
Cherise Beynon drove the ball in and attracted a pair of defenders, leaving Bryan open from the left wing. The senior took the 3-pointer, and as she was knocked to the ground by an Air Force player trying to box out, the ball bounced off the rim, high off the glass, back off the rim and in as the official called the foul. Bryan connected on the free throw to give the Lobos the lead back at 50-48. UNM scored seven of the next to come away with the win. Nunn finished with 25 points while Beynon had 15 and Bryan added nine.
Utah State has dropped three straight after falling to Boise State 68-60 on Saturday in Boise. The Aggies held a 31-29 lead at the half before being outscored 39-29 in the second half. Shannon Dufficy led Utah State with 13 points and seven rebounds while Victoria Price added 12 and Olivia West had 11.
The Aggies will look to slow things down as they are second-to-last in the conference in scoring at 57.9 points per game and are seventh in the MW in scoring defense at 67.3. Utah State does its offensive damage inside the arc for the most part as the Aggies are second-to-last in the MW in 3-pointers per game at 4.3 (UNM leads the conference at 9.4 per game).
Olivia West continues to lead the Aggies in scoring at 12.0 per game and is the team’s top 3-point threat with 36 (shooting 32.7 percent). Rachel Brewster is averaging 9.4 points while Hailey Bassett is at 9.0 per game. Shannon Dufficy is the team’s top rebounder at 8.0 per game to go along with scoring 8.0 points per contest. Eliza West leads the Aggies in assists (88) while Deja Mason leads the team and MW in blocks per game at 1.7.
SERIES HISTORY
The Lobos are 16-6 all-time against Utah State , including four in a row and an 80-47 win over the Aggies on Jan. 31 in Albuquerque. The Lobos had four players finish in double figures in the game, led by Jaisa Nunn’s 20 points and 12 rebounds. UNM is 7-3 all-time in Logan.
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 212-139 and is 34-22 at the helm of the Lobos.
Utah State is coached by Jerry Finkbeiner as he’s 77-104 in his sixth season with the Aggies and is 551-343 overall as a collegiate 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 will be on the call on 610 AM (click here to listen).