LOGAN, Utah — The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team used a strong defensive effort and balanced scoring to win its fourth game in five tries as the Lobos defeated Utah State 74-50 Wednesday night at Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
“It feels good that we played 28 minutes of really good defense,” UNM coach Mike Bradbury said. “That was really nice. We got a little sloppy over the last 12 minutes. This is a good win for us because they are tough to beat here.”
It was the Lobos’ 20th win this season, the second time UNM has reached that mark since winning 25 games during the 2008-09 season and the 13th time in program history. For second-year Lobo coach Mike Bradbury, it’s the seventh time he’s reached 20 wins in 11 seasons as a collegiate head coach.
The Lobos (20-7 overall, 8-6 Mountain West) picked up that 20th win thanks to holding Utah State (5-20, 3-11) to 32.3 percent shooting from the field (20-for-62) – including 28.9 percent through the first three quarters (13-for-45).
Combine it with a the Lobos, who lost Alex Lapeyrolerie for the season due to an injury suffered Saturday in a win over Air Force, having five players finish in double figures (a point away from having six players for the first time in program history) and it was a solid night for the Lobos.
UNM locked down Utah State defensively right away as the Lobos went on a 13-4 run over the final 8:04 of the first quarter – capped by a Tesha Buck steal and layup – to take a 16-8 lead.
1Q | Anderson with the steal and layup to increase the Lobo lead over Utah State. #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/vRaoEbzoPU
— Lobo Women’s Basketball (@UNMLoboWBB) February 15, 2018
It was a lot of the same in the second quarter as the Lobos grew the lead to as large as 17 at 33-16 after a basket by Antonia Anderson with 1:03 remaining before the Aggies hit a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left to make it 33-19 at the half.
The Lobos went on to outscore Utah State 15-9 in the third to take a 48-28 lead before the game opened up in the fourth as the UNM edged the Aggies 26-22 in the final quarter to make the final 74-50.
3Q | Bryan drives baseline and finishes with the nice reverse! #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/2ZfqVDJJav
— Lobo Women’s Basketball (@UNMLoboWBB) February 15, 2018
Buck had 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals for the Lobos while Laneah Bryan also had 13 points thanks to going 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. Jaisa Nunn had 12 points, eight rebounds and three steals, Madi Washington finished with 11 points (going 3-for-5 from 3-point range) and Antonia Anderson had 10 points, seven rebounds and two steals. N’Dea Flye had a solid all-around game with nine points, eight rebounds and two assists while Cherise Beynon had a team-high six assists to go along with eight rebounds, three steals and two points.
The Lobos shot 47.6 percent from the field (30-for-63), including 8-for-20 (40 percent) from 3-point range. UNM also dominated the glass, outrebounding Utah State 44-30.
Rachel Brewster led Utah State with 10 points to go along with five rebounds and three steals.
The Lobos are off Saturday before hosting Wyoming 7 p.m. Wednesday at Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit.