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Albuquerque, N.M. — In The Pit Saturday night, the UNM women’s basketball team won the Holiday Inn Mountain View Tournament title, cruising to an 88-46 win over Kent State.
Four Lobos scored in double figures, including tournament MVP Melissa Forest, who had 20 points and nine rebounds for the first All-Tournament honor of her career, and Abbie Letz, who also pitched in 20 points in the lopsided victory. Letz’ five three pointers, all of which came in the second half, were the third highest in school history.
UNM’s Cristal Garcia was named to the All-Tournament team – her first All-Tournament honor – after contributing six points, three assists and two rebounds Saturday and 14 points and five rebounds Friday, as was Jordan Adams (11 points, seven rebounds, three assists Saturday). Valerie Zona of Kent State and Jen Sobota of William and Mary were the fourth and fifth selections.
The Lobos (3-1) have now won three straight games following a season-opening loss to USC.
Though neither team was burning up the nets in the first half, the Lobos held a 19-8 advantage with 8:30 remaining after holding the Golden Flashes (1-3 overall) for a more than five minute stretch. UNM then went on a 20-9 tear the rest of the first half to take a 37-19 lead into the locker room. Forest scored 17 of her 20 points in the first half and netted six of her nine rebounds as well.
In the second half, UNM was no more kind to Kent State, as key threes by Forest, Mandi Moore and Lauren McCleod sparked the Lobos to a 65-31 advantage with 9:02 to play in the game. The 8,350 in attendance at the Pit saw the Lobos increase their lead to 81-44 and Letz’ final 3-pointer of the game, at the 1:22 mark, gave UNM its largest advantage at 85-46 before a three-point play by Chelsea Grear created the final margin of victory.
Kent State’s Jamie Rubis, not named to the All-Tournament team, scored 20 points and snared seven rebounds in defeat. Zona added 15 points and three rebounds while going 8-for-8 from the free throw line.
The Lobos next see action Tuesday night in the Pit, hosting the first of two battles against intrastate rival, New Mexico State.
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