Three Finish in Double Figures in UNM Loss at CSU
FORT COLLINS, Colo.— The Lobos attempted to recover from a slow first quarter against Colorado State on Saturday afternoon, outscoring the Rams in both the third and fourth quarter 45-38, but ultimately fell 76-65.
Amaya Brown led the Lobos with a career-high 18 points on a career-high four made three-pointers, and Shaiquel McGruder and Paula Reus nearly had double-doubles with 11 points and nine rebounds for McGruder and 10 rebounds and eight points for Reus. LaTascya Duff made two three-pointers to extend her streak of multiple three-pointers to 10 games, finishing with nine points and LaTora Duff was the third Lobo in double figures with 10 points on two three-pointers and had a team-high five assists. Aniyah Augmon added nine points off of the bench and grabbed six rebounds.
As a team, UNM finished with nine three-pointers and went 14-15 at the line with Brown 2-2, LaTascya 3-3, LaTora 2-2, Augmon 2-2 and McGruder 5-6.
Brown led with 10 points in the first 20 minutes with two three-pointers, while LaTascya recorded a season-high two blocks, also tying her career high. After trailing 23-9 at the end of the first quarter, the Lobos used an 8-0 to cut the deficit to eight at 25-17 behind a Reus layup and two Brown three-pointers, however, CSU matched it with a run to take the 38-20 lead at the break.
The Lobos trimmed the gap down to 13 in the third quarter using a 7-0 run that included two baskets by Reus and a LaTora three and closed to within 11 on five separate occasions in the third quarter, with the last being 52-41 with 2:05 on the clock before the frame came to a close with the Lobos trailing 58-44.
CSU built its lead back up to 17 to which the Lobos answered to get within 10 at 65-55 on a McGruder and-one with 5:21 left to play, but the Lobos were not able to get within single digits for the remainder of the game.
McGruder scored nine points and Brown added eight points in the final 20 minutes, making two more three-pointers.
The Lobos are 9-7 on the season, 1-2 in the Mountain West, and return home to face Nevada on Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. before going back on the road for their next two.