ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team held off Utah State 73-70 behind a career night from sophomore Cherise Beynon and leadership from the three seniors Wednesday night in WisePies Arena.
“Tonight we learned how to finish,” said head coach Yvonne Sanchez. “That was a good team, and we finished. These guys work their tails off. I have a great group. The right players took the right shots. We’re just going to keep working on making more of those shots fall.”
Beynon finished with a career-high of 24 points, shooting a career-high 6-for-11 from the three. She picked up three rebounds, four assists and four steals in 35 minutes of action. But Beynon had help as senior Khadijah Shumpert was second in scoring with 17 points, 11 of those coming from the free throw line. She finished with seven boards and three steals.
“Cherise is a heck of a player but tonight she had help,” said Sanchez. “It was a great team effort. Cherise had positive energy all game long. The whole team’s energy was good.”
The Lobos also got leadership from senior Bryce Owens. She recorded 12 points, shooting 4-for-12 from the field, 2-for-7 from the three and 2-for-2 from the free throw line. She also finished with a game-high eight assists. Senior Alexa Chavez also came up big with seven boards and four key free throws for a season-high six points.
The game started off back and forth between the two teams. The Lobos took an 11-8 lead over the Aggies into the first media timeout after a Beynon two. Two good free throws from Chavez gave the Lobos a 13-8 lead but Utah State’s offense started to pick up leading 19-16 after the first.
Beynon was on fire in the second quarter. Utah State hit a free throw at the 9:05 mark but it was all Beynon for the next minute as she hit two three’s and a layup to give the Lobos a 24-20 lead and force a Utah State timeout. The Lobos went on a good run to end the quarter, getting buckets and free throws from Shumpert. Owens and Chavez put together a 6-0 run in the final three minutes. Utah State made a bucket in the final 24 seconds but the Lobos led 35-30 heading into halftime.
“My main focus today was to bring a lot of energy,” said Beynon. “Because I’ve been a little disappointed in myself lately. I just hoped that my team would follow and they did. We were in tune.”
The Lobos offense kind of slowed down in the third quarter but they were still able to maintain a close game with the Aggies. Utah State came within three into the media timeout. The Lobos got buckets from junior Whitney Johnson and sophomore Alex Lapeyrolerie but Utah State finished the third on a 8-0 run to take a 50-49 lead into the fourth.
Utah State went up by as much as six in the fourth quarter but the Lobos had the fight to finish off the game. Sophomore Laneah Bryan hit a big three to put the Lobos within three with 4:31 left to play. Beynon hit another three at 3:15 to tie the game but Utah State responded to go back up by two, leading 64-62 with 3:06 left. Neither offense scored until Beynon tied it back up but once again Utah State responded but this time with a three, going up 67-64 with 1:27 left to play. Shumpert tied it up with three straight free throws. She missed on the fourth but the Lobos were able to get the ball back and Shumpert scored to take a 69-67 lead.
The Lobos fouled with 21.5 seconds left but Utah State also fouled, giving Chavez a chance at the line. She missed the first but made the second, giving the Lobos a 70-69 advantage. Owens sank two more free throws to give the Lobos a 72-69 lead. Utah State tried to get a three up but Chavez put up a big block, giving the Lobos the ball. Shumpert was fouled with 10 seconds left to play but her one free throw put the Lobos up 73-69. Shumpert fouled with two seconds left, giving the Aggies one good free throw but it wasn’t enough as the Lobos outlasted Utah State for a much-needed win.
On the night, the Lobos shot 32 percent (23-71) from the field, 33 percent (9-22) from the three and 75 percent (18-24) from the free throw line. UNM finished with 16 steals, 18 assist and 17 offensive boards. They took advantage of the Aggies turnovers, scoring 34 points to their 10 off of our 11 turnovers.
New Mexico is now 12-10 on the season and 5-6 in the Mountain West. The Lobos are on the road for the next two games, heading to San Josè State Saturday and Boise State next Wednesday.