Lobos leave little doubt in 87-67 win over Nevada
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Looking to bounce back after dropping their last two games, the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team did so in emphatic fashion on Saturday afternoon as they cruised past Nevada by a score of 87-67.
Outside of the Wolf Pack (9-11, 2-7 MW) claiming the game’s first points, the Lobos (12-10, 3-6 MW) were seemingly in complete control of the entire contest. With the score knotted at 12-all at the 2:53 mark of the first quarter, the Lobos jumped out on top for good thanks to a painted jumper by Aisia Robertson. That basket by Robertson sparked a 10-2 run by the Lobos to close out the quarter and made the score 22-14 through the first period.
In the second quarter, the lead for the Lobos only grew and swelled as high as 22 points on a couple of occasions. Efficient offense was a key for the Lobos being able to build on their lead in the second quarter and head into halftime with a 21-point advantage. After shooting 50% (9-of-18) from the floor in the first quarter, the Lobos were even better in the second and shot 58% (11-of-19) overall.
Coming out of the locker room, the Wolf Pack attempted to get back into the game and had momentum going in their favor early in the third. That momentum came to a screeching halt, however, at the 6:17 mark as Ahlise Hurst buried a three-pointer to give the Lobos a 20-point advantage once more. The Lobos then went on to close out the final minute of the quarter on a 5-0 burst to give them their largest lead of the game, 24 points, heading into the fourth.
In the fourth, the shooting percentage cooled some for the Lobos as they shot 39% (7-of-18) overall. Prior to that, the Lobos had shot 50% or better in each of the first three quarters. Despite the slight slip in percentage, the Lobos remained comfortably ahead throughout the final period and ended with a 20-point margin of victory, 87-67.
The Lobos also ended the game with an even 50% shooting mark (35-of-70) overall from the field. That percentage and number of field goals made and attempted match a season-best set against New Mexico State back on December 16.
In an odd statistical trend for the Lobos, this is the fifth time this season that the Lobos have scored 80 or more points in a Mountain West game, but it is the first time come away with a win.
Individually, the Lobos had four players score in double figures and were led by Ahlise Hurst and her 19 points. Jordan Hosey was next with 16 points on an efficient 7-of-10 performance. Hosey also added a game-high 12 rebounds to notch her seventh double-double of the season. Jaedyn De La Cerda was next in scoring with 15 points. Antonia Anderson rounded out double figure scoring with 13 points. She also added 10 rebounds to post her second double-double of the season and her first since back in early November.
The Lobos will now turn their attention to a mid-day game at San Diego State this coming Wednesday. Tip-off for the game against the Aztecs is scheduled for Noon (MT) and will be the Lobos third early afternoon game of the season.