UNM Comeback Falls Short to Wolf Pack

RENO, Nev.— The Lobo women’s basketball team outscored Nevada 44-28 in the final two quarters, but New Mexico was unable to complete the comeback to the Wolf Pack on Saturday afternoon, falling 77-70.

LaTascya Duff led the Lobos with 20 points on five three-pointers in the contest, and was followed in scoring by Jaedyn De La Cerda at 15 points and Shaiquel McGruder with 14 points. Antonia Anderson and McGruder each grabbed seven rebounds for the team high and Anderson, Duff and De La Cerda each had a block.

The Lobos trailed 49-26 at the half, with De La Cerda scoring a team-high eight points through the first two quarters, but came out of the break scoring the first 11 points of the third quarter to close the gap. UNM held Nevada to nine points in the quarter while scoring 18 and got as close as 10 in the later part of the quarter behind eight points from Duff on two three-pointers and two free-throws.

New Mexico kept battling in the fourth quarter, using a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to four at 67-61 and again at 69-65 but couldn’t close any further before falling 77-70.

McGruder and Duff scored 10 and nine points, respectively, in the fourth quarter as UNM outscored Nevada 26-19 in the final 10 minutes.

UNM was able to make up some ground at the free-throw line, going 17-for-18 with Duff a perfect 5-for-5 and McGruder 6-for-7 from the line.

The Lobos now stand at 20-7 on the season and 11-3 in the Mountain West.

Up next for New Mexico are two final home games, first against Utah State on Wednesday, Feb. 16 and Boise State on Saturday, Feb. 19.