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March 10, 2004
New Mexico and Air Force met for the first time in MWC Tournament play in today’s game. With today’s win, New Mexico improved to 6-3 in MWC Tournaments, while the Falcons fell to 0-5. The Lobos have won five of their last six MWC Tournament games, including four straight. UNM’s last MWC Tournament loss was to BYU in the 2002 semifinals (71-58). The Lobos brought an eight-game win streak into the MWC Tournament-second only to Utah’s 14-game win streak entering the 2001 MWC Tournament. UNM has now won nine straight games-which is the second-longest streak in the MWC this season (UNLV had 10). New Mexico had an MWC record 10 blocked shots in the first half vs. Air Force today and totaled 21 blocks vs. Air Force in three meetings this season. Melissa Forest was one block shy of Jordan Adams’ single-game tournament record of five vs. SDSU in last year’s quarterfinal game. Forest posted a career-high 27 points today and has totaled 66 points in her last three games – a 22-point average. Forest’s season average entering today’s games was 9.7 points per game. Air Force closed to within 30-27 early in the second half, but New Mexico used a 12-0 run to open up a 42-30 lead and extended the lead to 45-29-its largest of the game with 10:47 remaining. New Mexico’s 42-point second half was one point shy of the MWC Tournament quarterfinal record set by Colorado State vs. Air Force in 2002. Air Force outrebounded the Lobos 23-16 in the first half and tied the Lobos in rebounds 39-39 in the game – this season the Falcons were outboarded in 12-of-14 conference games, while UNM outrebounded 7-of-12 MWC opponents. UNM outboarded the Falcons 76-58 in the prior two meetings this season. The Lobos will face Wyoming Friday in a semifinal contest. The Lobos and Cowgirls have never faced each other in MWC Tourney play. Melissa Forest – career high 27 points (previous high was 20 points, four times, most recently vs. Colorado State