Lobos down Cougars in double OT
HOUSTON, Texas – Facing their first road test of the season, the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team achieved two other firsts on Saturday in their game against the University of Houston. In that non-conference matchup, the Lobos picked up a win on the road, and in the process, played their first overtime game of the season as UNM needed a pair of extra periods to overcome the Cougars by a score of 89-84.
A major part of the win for the Lobos (3-1) was the overall play of redshirt junior point guard, Aisia Robertson. After flirting with a triple-double in the season-opener and recording a double-double the last time out against Hartford, Robertson notched a triple-double with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. It was the first triple-double in the career of Robertson, who transferred to the Lobos last season from Kansas, and it was the first for the Lobos since last March when Cherise Beynon had a triple-double on the road against Fresno State.
Robertson was not alone in a spectacular individual effort. Current Mountain West Player of the Week, Jaisa Nunn posted her second-straight double-double with a 21-point, 12-rebound game. Additionally, true freshman Jayla Everett continued her double-digit scoring streak as she scored 17 points. Classmate Ahlise Hurst also scored in double figures as she scored a season-high 11 points.
In the game on Saturday, the Lobos controlled much of the action and held an advantage on the scoreboard. After scoring the first points of the game, UNM maintained the lead until the closing seconds of the third quarter as the Cougars (3-4) hit a three-pointer to break a 52-all tie.
Less than two minutes into the fourth quarter, however, the Lobos regained the lead on a layup by Nunn. The Lobos, who led by as many as 13 points in the game early in the second quarter, would grow their lead out to as much as five points, 64-59, with 3:14 left in regulation.
A three-pointer by the Cougars pulled Houston to within a point, 67-66, with 39 seconds on the clock. The game would dwindle to five second left in the fourth quarter and Nunn would make good on one of two free throws to give the Lobos a two-point lead, 68-66. On Houston’s ensuing possession, the Cougars would get a look from three that did not fall, but a whistle on the shot sent Angela Harris to the line with one second and a chance to win the game by sinking all three free throws.
Harris made good on the first, but drew iron on the second attempt. Harris’ third shot fell to knot the game at 68-all and ultimately force overtime.
In the first overtime, the Lobos jumped out to a seven-point lead with 2:58 to go as they opened the period on a 7-0 run. Sparking the run was Robertson on a pair of free throws. The Lobos then got a three-pointer from Everett and a layup by Hurst.
That lead did not last long, however, as the Cougars ripped off an 8-0 run over the next 2:27 to take a one-point lead, 76-65, with 31 seconds left in the first overtime. Robertson would tie the game and force a second overtime by splitting a pair of free throws with 10 seconds left.
In the second overtime, Robertson took over offensively as she scored eight of UNM’s 13 points. The first of those followed a turnover by the Cougars early in the second OT. The final five points for Robertson came in succession and each basket broke a tied score. The last of which was a three-pointer that broke an 84-all score with 42 seconds left.
The Cougars would take two more tries from three to tie, but neither found the bottom of the net. Following the last of the misses, Everett was fouled and went to the line to ice the game as she made her two shots, giving the Lobos the five-point win, 89-84.
The Lobos will now head home and prepare for a big time non-conference game at home against Oklahoma on Wednesday, November 28. Tip-off for the game is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit. The game will also be the Lobos’ Nike N7 game.
ABOUT N7 FUND
Nike believes kids aren’t meant to sit still, they’re Made to Play. The N7 collection supports Nike’s commitment to get kids moving through the N7 Fund, which supports organizations to provide sport and physical activity programming to kids in Native American and Aboriginal communities so that they can lead healthier, happier and more successful lives. Since its inception in 2009, the N7 Fund has awarded $5.6 million in grants to 243 communities and organizations, reaching more than 420,000 youth. Harnessing the power of sport as a unifying force, the N7 Fund helps kids reach their greatest potential and reflects Nike’s belief in creating more equal playing fields for everyone.