ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The first chance to see the 2021-22 New Mexico women’s basketball team is Sunday, Oct. 31 at 2 p.m. as the Lobos host Western Colorado in an exhibition.
It will be the first of two exhibitions for UNM before the season officially starts on Nov. 9, but the first opportunity for fans to watch the Lobos in person since the 2019-20 season.
Also of significance in Sunday’s exhibition will be the presentation of the MW championship rings to the coaches and players, taking place prior to tip.
The Lobos return seven players from a year ago in Antonia Anderson, Jaedyn De La Cerda, LaTora Duff, LaTascya Duff, Shaiquel McGruder, Kath van Bennekom and Nevaeh Parkinson, with New Mexico coming off of a 15-5 season, 11-3 in the Mountain West.
Among the returners are UNM’s leaders in scoring, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks a year ago.
De La Cerda and LaTascya were the leading scorers for UNM in 2020-21, with De La Cerda at 15.0 ppg and Duff at 14.9 ppg. Anderson and McGruder were the top two rebounders at 6.2 and 6.0 rebounds per game, respectively, with De La Cerda third at 5.2. LaTora Duff led in assists at 78 on the season and McGruder led in steals (30) and blocks (23).
New Mexico added six players to the 2021-22 roster in Vianè Cumber, Rebeka Renczes, Zeyno Şeren, Aniyah Augmon, Mackenzie Curtis and Paula Reus.
On the other side of the court, the Mountaineers went 14-6 a year ago, 12-4 in the RMAC, making the Division II NCAA Tournament regional semifinal. Western Colorado returns two of its top three scorers from last season in Emmery Wagstaff (13.0 ppg) and Samantha Coleman (12.5 ppg) and its top two rebounders in Katie Dalton (6.5 rpg) and Wagstaff (5.9 rpg).
The Mountaineers did lose their leader in assists and steals in Hannah Cooper, who was also their leading scorer at 16.5 ppg.
Season tickets are still available for purchase, starting as low as $110, as well as single-game tickets and three different mini plans to chose from.
Fans can purchase tickets online at GoLobos.com/tickets or in person at the University Arena Ticket Office.