Seniors go out right as Lobos beat CSU, 54-48
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — On senior night, one of the most decorated Lobos in program history shined bright as senior Cherise Beynon led The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team with 20 points on its way to a 54-48 victory over Colorado State on Tuesday at Dreamstyle Arena.
Beynon, who ranks in the top 10 in Lobo history in points, assists, rebounds, steals and 3-pointers, scored eight of UNM’s (21-9, 9-8) 13 fourth-quarter points to hold off Colorado State.
“[My focus] was to just go out there, execute the game plan and win the game,” Beynon said. “We needed to get back on track before the (Mountain West) tournament. So despite it being our last home game and my last game here, I was just trying to focus on playing my hardest and winning the game.”
.@UNMLoboWBB get the win on Senior Night 54-48! #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/4NXGjgKcLx
— New Mexico Lobos (@UNMLOBOS) February 28, 2018
UNM trailed Colorado State (19-10, 11-7) 18-14 after the first quarter but a 3-pointer from senior Tesha Buck and two 3s from freshman Madi Washington helped the Lobos outscore the Rams 12-7 in the second quarter to take a 26-25 lead into the half.
The Lobos never trailed in the second half, but had to keep holding off charges from the Rams. Colorado State was within four when Jaisa Nunn grabbed an offensive rebound and scored as she was fouled to push the Lobo lead to 39-32 and Buck followed with a bucket to make it 41-32 before the Rams scored in the final minute of the quarter to make it 41-34 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Lobo lead was cut to three at 41-38 before UNM slowly started building its advantage – getting it to double figures when an up-and-under, left-handed scoop shot from Cherise Beynon as she was fouled gave UNM its first double-digit lead at 52-42. The lead grew to 54-42, and while a pair of Colorado State 3-pointers cut the lead to 54-48 with 2:30 remaining – neither team scored the rest of the way as the Lobos hung on for the win.
“I thought we made enough plays, it was hard to score, but I thought we did what we had to do guarding them,” Bradbury said. “I thought we did a really good job guarding them, especially in the second half. We also rebounded just enough.”
Along with Beynon’s 20 points, she had five rebounds and a pair of steals. Jaisa Nunn had her 16th double-double of the season with 12 points and 14 rebounds to go along with two blocks and two steals while Washington finished with nine points, going 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. Though she played just five minutes, freshman Antonia Anderson had five blocks – the highest total for a Lobo this season.
Following the game the Lobos honored seniors Laneah Bryan, Alex Lapeyrolerie, Beynon and Buck.
“It’s a sad and happy feeling because you’re thinking of all the times you’ve had and all the memories that have come along the way, but then you’re also realizing that it’s coming to an end,” Bryan said. “So it’s a little bit of both.”
Hannah Tvrdy led Colorado State with 19 points while Stine Austgulen had 11 points. Annie Brady grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds.
The Lobos wrap up the regular season Friday evening when they play at Fresno State.