Lobos post largest margin of victory against Aggies; sweep season series
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – In a rivalry series that dates back to 1975 and now spans 80 games, the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team achieved something on Monday night inside Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit that has not ever been done before in the series as they posted the largest margin of victory against New Mexico State.
In that, the Lobos (8-4) routed the Aggies (3-8) 107-53 for a 54-point margin of victory and in the process securing a season-sweep. The margin put up by the Lobos on Monday night was 20 points better than the previous mark of 34 points done back in 2006 when UNM beat NMSU 81-47. It was also tied for the fifth-largest margin of victory for the Lobos all-time.
Another #RioGrandeRivalry presented by @nusendacu SWEEP! This one was a dominant effort by @UNMLoboWBB!#GoLobos 🐺🏀🧹 pic.twitter.com/MEazjgqsJW
— New Mexico Lobos (@UNMLOBOS) December 17, 2019
Additionally, Monday night’s game saw the Lobos reach the century mark in scoring for the first time this regular season. It was also just the third time in the all-time series with the Aggies that the Lobos scored 100 points.
The game against the Aggies was just what the Lobos needed after a tough game on the road at Arizona State this past Saturday. In that game, the Lobos suffered a season-low in scoring (47) and shot just 38% overall from the floor with no makes from three-point range against the Sun Devils.
The no makes from distance against the Sun Devils snapped what was a 93-game streak of making at least one three-pointer for the Lobos. Against the Aggies, the Lobos came back with a vengeance and drained 17 three-pointers. The 17 made three-pointers were the most in a game since the Lobos made 15 against Utah State in 2018.
The usual suspects contributed to that number with Ahlise Hurst finding her stroke again with five makes and Jaedyn De La Cerda knocking down three. But it was true freshman Andriana Avent that got the crowd at full throat as she made a pair of trifectas en route to a career-high 10 points.
Four other Lobos joined Avent in double figures led by Hurst’s 21 points. De La Cerda was next with 16 followed by Antonia Anderson with 15. Shaiquel McGruder chipped in 12 points. De La Cerda also paved the team in assists with seven. That mark was closely followed by Aisia Robertson with six.
As a team, the Lobos registered their best shooting percentage of the season overall and from three-point range as both marks were an even 50%. From the field, the Lobos were 35-of-70 and from three-point range, they were 17-of-34.
The Lobos will now have a day off before embarking on three games in three days as they will host the annual Lobo Invitational starting on Wednesday night. The first opponent will be Providence on Wednesday night followed by Loyola Marymount on Thursday night. Ball State will be the Lobos’ final opponent on Friday night. All tip-off times are scheduled for 7 p.m. inside Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit.