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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team hit six-straight free throws over the final two minutes of regulation to withstand a furious UNLV rally and hold on for a 65-60 victory on Saturday night in The Pit. A sold-out crowd of 18,018 held its collective breath as the Rebels’ Sheena Moore had her potential game-tying three-point attempt rim out and into the arms of UNM guard Mandi Moore with four seconds remaining in regulation. Moore hit both of her free throws as New Mexico (13-5, 3-2 MWC) snapped a three-game losing streak versus UNLV.
New Mexico led by as many as 15 in the second half as center Jordan Adams connected on a three-pointer to extend the Lobo lead to 52-37 with 11:02 remaining. However, UNLV senior guard Constance Jinks, who had been held to just 10 points in the first 29 minutes of play, led the Rebels on a 17-3 run over the next 6:33. Jinks scored nine points in the burst as UNLV closed to within one, 55-54, at the 4:29 mark. The two teams traded baskets down the stretch before the Lobos’ defense tightened and held UNLV scoreless over the final 1:38.
Senior forward Chelsea Grear sparked UNM to a 33-26 halftime lead, scoring 16 of her game-high 20 points, in the first period. UNLV tied the game briefly, 17-17, at the 12:43 mark, but never led after going up 7-5 three minutes into the contest. After tying the game, UNLV missed its next 14 shots as New Mexico gradually extended its halftime advantage to seven points.
Jinks led UNLV with 19 points, but was held to just 6-19 from the floor. Grear’s 20 points paced UNM, which had four players score in double figures. Moore added 12 points and eight assists, while forward Lindsey Arndt and guard Cristal Garcia had 11 and 10 points, respectively. Grear also led the Lobos in rebounding with eight on the night.
New Mexico returns to action on the road at BYU on Thursday, Feb. 6.
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