Tucson, AZ – The University of New Mexico (8-2) took to the road for the first time in almost a month and quickly paid for the layoff as the #24 University of Arizona (5-2) defeated the Lobos 70-61.
The Lobos had their only lead of the first half at the 17:41 mark, 5-4. The Wildcats stormed back and would lead by as much as 11. Chelsea Grear’s only three-pointer of the game would put the Lobos down by eight at the half, 35-27.
The second half saw the Lobos coming out of the locker room a totally different team. Behind a 17-9 run the Lobos tied the game up at 40-all at 13:55. In the next two and a half minutes the game was tied three times before the Wildcats were able to pull away going up by nine at 7:54.
UNM would get no closer than five points at 5:42 after Lauren McLeod would hit two free throws.
The Lobos were paced by Jordan Adams with 17 points, Mandi Moore chipped in 16 points, including four three-pointers. Moore also led the team in rebounds with seven. Chelsea Grear also scored in double-figures with 10 points.
The Lobos were outrebounded by the Wildcats, 39-34. In both UNM losses this season the Lobos were outrebounded by their opponent.
The Lobos, who were ranked #25 in the ESPN/USA Today/WBCA Coaches Poll, will next take on #19 Louisiana Tech in The Pit on Saturday, game time is set for 2:30 pm.Q