| Broadcast Information | |
| WATCH: Mountain West Network |
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| RADIO: Lobo Radio Network | |
| (KNML 95.9/ 610 AM flagship in Albuquerque) | |
| Play-by-Play: | J.J. Buck |
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.– After playing the previous two games on the road, the Lobo women’s basketball team will host UTEP on Sunday, Dec. 19 at 6 p.m., the first home game for the Lobos in 16 days.
Sunday’s game will serve as UNM’s final non-conference game of the season and has been designated Ugly Sweater Day. All fans are encouraged to wear their ugliest sweater, with one fan receiving a prize. In addition, the Lobos will collect unwrapped toys to benefit local ABQ children. All fans who bring a donation will receive a Lobo-branded Christmas ornament.
Since the last time the Lobos played in The Pit, New Mexico went 1-1 with a win at New Mexico State to complete the in-state rivalry sweep on Dec. 5 and lost a hard-fought loss (77-60) to then-No. 6 Arizona in Tucson after being in the game for over half of the contest with opportunities to take a lead late in the third quarter.
Through the first 12 games, the Lobos have balanced scoring with five Lobos currently averaging 10-plus points per game in Shaiquel McGruder (13.5), LaTora Duff (13.2), Jaedyn De La Cerda (12.0), LaTascya Duff (10.6) and Antonia Anderson (10.0). LaTora has reached double figures in nine games, including the last four, De La Cerda in eight games, McGruder has reached double figures in seven games, Anderson in six, LaTascya in five and Paula Reus in one game (against Arizona).
Also true to form, as a team, the Lobos are making 9.3 three-pointers per game and have reached double figures in five games and made nine in three games. UNM made a season-high 13 three-pointers and shot a season-best 54.2% from three against New Mexico State on Dec. 3. Compared to other MW teams, UNM has three players in the top six of three-pointers made per game, led by LaTascya (first) with LaTora (fourth) and De La Cerda (tied for sixth). As a team, UNM leads the Mountain West in made three-pointers per game at 9.3, with Colorado State second at 7.9 per game. Nationally, the Lobos are fourth in the NCAA in made threes with 111 and ninth in attempts (300).
In addition to three-pointers made and attempted, UNM is eighth in the NCAA in assists (198), 18th in three-point field-goals per game (9.2), 24th in steals (115), 25th in three-point field-goal percentage (37.0), 27th in rebounds (457), 32nd in field-goal percentage (45.8), 43rd in blocked shots (47) and 45th in assists per game (16.5). On an individual level, LaTora is sixth in the NCAA in assists (65) and 31st in assists per game (5.4); McGruder is fourth in field-goal percentage (63.2) and 21st in field-goals made (74) and Anderson is 35th in blocked shots (19). LaTora is 30th in three-point field-goals made (27) with LaTascya 36th at 26. De La Cerda is 38th in field-goals attempted (144), 41st in three-point field-goals attempted (68) and 55th in three-point field-goals made (24).
On the other side of the court, the Miners are playing their third game of the week and just their ninth game all season. UTEP enters with wins over Texas State and against New Mexico State (in overtime). The Miners are 7-1 on the season with wins over Incarnate Word (81-47), North Dakota (89-69), New Mexico State (76-61 and 82-78 in overtime), Northern Arizona (72-62), Seattle U (62-57) and Texas State (69-57). Their one loss was to Kansas (81-55).
Two players are averaging 10-plus points this season, led by Destiny Thurman (16.0). Katia Gallegos (13.1) is also averaging double figures with Teal Battle (9.9) and Avery Crouse close at 9.0 ppg. Thurman leads with 19 made three-pointers, shooting 43.2 percent and making 2.7 per game while attempting 6.3 per game. Battle leads from the free-throw line, making 30 of 39 attempts, team highs in both categories. Elina Arike leads on the boards with 7.3 rebounds per game and 44 rebounds, but Battle has 22 offensive boards. Crouse, Arike and Mahri Petree each have four blocks and Gallegos leads the team with 15 steals, an average of 1.9 per game. Gallegos led the Miners with 26 points in the overtime win against NMSU on Wednesday, going 16-for-20 at the free-throw line. As a team, UTEP went 35-for-46 from the line. Arike was the only other Miner in double figures with 16 and led the team in rebounds (six) and blocks (two).
Only two players have started all eight games for UTEP in Gallegos and Battle, with Thurman starting in seven (didn’t play against NMSU on Wednesday) and Crouse and Arike starting in six. Eliana Cabral has started in three and Brenda Fontana has started in two.
Of note, UNM is 6-0 at home this season and UTEP is 2-0 on the road, which were its last two games. UNM leads the all-time series 35-17 and have won the last four meetings.