Lobos Host Lady Buffs in First Exhibition Saturday
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The wait is over and it is time for Lobo women’s basketball season.
After all of the preseason talk and the preseason accolades were handed out, the season for The University of New Mexico kicks off with an exhibition against West Texas A&M on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 3:30 p.m. in The Pit.
Saturday’s game will be part of a doubleheader with the men’s exhibition game to follow, and will have a Halloween theme with Trick or Treating available as fans enter the arena and in between the games. Fans are encouraged to wear costumes as there will be a Halloween costume contest at halftime. Tickets for Saturday’s doubleheader are available for $5 for selected seating, with one ticket providing admission for both games.
UNM’s game versus West Texas A&M should be a good test for the Lobos with the Lady Buffs picked as the favorite in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll. The Lobos were picked to finish second in the Mountain West preseason poll with Shaiquel McGruder named to the preseason all-conference team, Amaya Brown selected as the MW Preseason Newcomer of the Year and Hannah Robbins selected as the MW Preseason Freshman of the Year.
In addition, last season West Texas A&M went 26-11, winning both the Lone Star Conference regular season and tournament and reached the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. The Lobos had a similar record, going 26-10 on the season and 14-4 in conference, reaching the third round of the WNIT.
The Lady Buffs return their top-two leading scorers from a season ago in Zamorye Roberts and Karley Motschenbache, who averaged 13.2 points per game and 10.2 points per game, respectively. Roberts also led in made three-pointers with 63, making 1.9 per game, as well as in assists at 2.8 per game and 92 on the season and in steals at 62 and 1.9 per game. The Lady Buffs lost their top rebounder in Alivia Lewis, but Motschenbache was nearly as effective on the boards with 292 rebounds and 7.9 per game.
For the Lobos, UNM returns three starters and three of its top-five point producers from a season ago in McGruder (14.2 points per game), and LaTora Duff and LaTascya Duff, who each averaged 12.0 points per game. New Mexico returns its leader in assists (LaTora at 192, 5.3 per game), rebounds (McGruder at 258, 7.2 per game), steals (McGruder at 66, 1.8 per game) and three-pointers (LaTascya at 97, 2.8 per game).
Following Saturday’s exhibition, the Lobos will host Fort Lewis on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. for their final exhibition before opening the regular season on the road at Southern Utah on Nov.7.
Season tickets for the 18-game home women’s schedule start at $110, with chairback seating starting at $220. Fans can purchase single game and season tickets online at GoLobos.com/tickets or in person at the University Arena Ticket Office.