ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team finished its exhibition season with a dominating 80-39 win over New Mexico Highlands Saturday evening at WisePies Arena aka The Pit.
“It was better than I thought,” said head coach Yvonne Sanchez. “I didn’t expect blowouts by any of the teams. I know Brianna has done a nice job at Highlands. I thought we stayed focused, but we still need to work on some combinations. There’s some combinations that I can put in a great deal that are going to be in the plus column so that’s pretty good.”
The Lobos came out hot in the first couple minutes of the game, as they went on an 8-0 run, getting points from Cherise Beynon, Bryce Owens and Khadijah Shumpert. The Lobos took advantage of the Cowgirls turnovers and held them to just four points (0-for-7), which came off of four free throws from two fouls.
New Mexico’s shooting began to progress in the second quarter as it jumped from 22.7 percent in the first quarter to 58.8 percent from the field in the second. Freshman Jannon Otto started the Lobos run in the second as she scored four of the first six points in the period. Freshman Jaisa Nunn was another threat, getting the Lobos two three-point plays and a layup for eight points in a minute and a half. The Lobos finished the first half off with back-to-back threes from sophomore Laneah Bryan and two good free throws from Beynon to take a 40-16 lead over the Cowgirls into the locker room.
“We really did a nice job in the second quarter of pushing the basketball and getting a ton of transition points,” Sanchez said. “It was 26-2 in fast break points (for the game) and I think a lot of that was the second quarter. “They called a quick time out and that’s what we want to do.”
The treys became a more regular in the third quarter as Owens sunk one in the first 30 seconds. The Lobos were 5-for-7 from three-point range in the third. Along with Owens, Beynon, Shumpert and Otto put together a 9-0 run in the first minute and 34 seconds. The Lobos continued to put the pressure on the Cowgirls, holding them to just 16 points in the third.
“The first half we were two for something at the three and we were missing wide open shots,” said Sanchez. “I told them at half time to shoot with confidence. I know we are good shooters, I know we have people who can shoot the basketball. So, they went out and shot with confidence. We almost shot better from the three than the two and it was nice to see the ball go in from different players.”
Defense helped the Lobos hold the Cowgirls off in the fourth quarter, allowing just seven points to finish out the game. The Lobos tallied 14 points in the final period to claim its second exhibition victory.
“Getting to 80, I was kind of surprised because I looked up and I saw 78 or 79 and we never get up there,” Sanchez said.
Nunn was the Lobos high scorer for the second time in as many games. She finished the game with 14 points and seven rebounds, going 6-for-12 from the field and perfect from the free throw line in two shots. Beynon was one point behind Nunn with 13 points (4-for-9). She finished perfect from the free throw line as well, going 4-for-4. Bryan was perfect in the shooting category, scoring 11 points (3-for-3 from the field, 2-for-2 from three-point range and 3-for3 from the charity stripe).
The Lobos shot 42.3 percent from the field for the game, 40.9 percent from beyond the arc and 52.1 percent from the free throw line.
The Lobos open up regular season play with Houston Baptist next Friday in WisePies Arena aka The Pit. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. For tickets, call 925-LOBO or visit GoLobos.com.