Marsh Scores 20 As Lobos Capture Thanksgiving Classic Championship
Nov. 27, 2004
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – True freshman Dionne Marsh turned in the best game of her promising young career, helping the University of New Mexico improve to 4-0 on the season with a 76-54 over Gonzaga in the championship game of the Airport University Inn Thanksgiving Classic on Saturday night in The Pit. Marsh poured in a season-high 20 points off the bench and grabbed nine rebounds as New Mexico used a big second half surge to down the Bulldogs (2-1).
After a back-and-forth first half that saw eight lead changes and two ties, New Mexico knocked down its first six shots and all three free throw attempts as it outscored Gonzaga 15-4 over the first 5:08 of the second half. Marsh had seven points during the burst and later hit two more free throws to extend the UNM lead to 49-37 with 14:09 left to play.
Gonzaga closed to within nine, with just over 11 minutes remaining, on a pair of free throws by Katy Ridenour, but New Mexico scored six unanswered points in 39 seconds, including four from the charity stripe, to put the game effectively out of reach.
The Zags got the Lobos attention early, however, scoring the game’s first eight points and holding UNM without a field goal for the first five minutes of the first half. Gonzaga led by as many as seven, 16-9, midway through the period before a 10-0 Lobo run re-energized the 10,150 in attendance. The Bulldogs took advantage of New Mexico’s 36 percent shooting in the first half, hitting 14-28 shots to take a surprising 33-32 lead into the break.
New Mexico found its shooting touch in the second half, however, hitting 12-23 (56.5%), while holding GU to just 25.9 percent (7-27) over the final 20 minutes. The Lobos also stepped up the defensive pressure, converting the Bulldogs’ seven second half turnovers into 13 points. New Mexico held a decisive edge at the free throw line using its aggressiveness on offense to force 38 trips (26-38, 68.4%) to the line on the night, compared to just 14 (8-14, 57.1%) for the Bulldogs.
Marsh led three Lobos in double figures, including senior forward Lindsey Arndt (13) and junior guard Abbie Letz (10). Arndt also had 7 rebounds and two blocks in 33 minutes. Senior guard Shannon Matthews led Gonzaga with 13 points and five assists.
New Mexico continues its nine-game homestand on Saturday, Dec. 4 when its welcomes No. 4 Texas for a 2 p.m. game at The Pit.