Lobos Victorious Against USF, 63-52
Dec. 31, 2004
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – Jana Francis scored a career-high 14 points with asprained ankle, leading No. 25 New Mexico past San Francisco 63-52 on Fridaynight.
Francis had 10 points after the break, including eight free throws, when NewMexico (9-1) managed just three field goals. Francis played a career-high 31minutes and tied her rebounding high with seven.
“She had a sprained ankle all week long, but she gutted it up,” said NewMexico coach Don Flanagan, who earned his 200th victory. “She showed a lot oftoughness this week.”
Mandi Moore added 10 points for the Lobos.
Dominique Carter had 14 points and Toni Russell added 10 points, includingthree 3-pointers, for San Francisco (6-7).
After taking a 36-21 halftime lead, New Mexico hit just one of its first 15shots from the floor to open the second half. San Francisco pulled to 43-36after a 3-pointer by Russell with 11:05 left.
Francis then scored all the Lobos’ points in a 7-0 run, with five comingfrom the line. New Mexico finished 26-of-33 from the line, while the Dons were6-of-9.
The Lobos shot 14 percent from the field during the second half, compared toSan Francisco’s 41 percent.
“All of sudden we can’t shoot,” Flanagan said. “It’s hard to findhighlights in there.”
Moore acknowledged that the Lobos were tentative on the offensive end, butshe said she wasn’t worried.
“This team responds to challenges,” Moore said. “If somebody comes at ushard, we’ll get it together and go right back at them.”