ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— For the second time this season, New Mexico freshman Laila Abdurraqib has been selected as the Old Trapper Mountain West Freshman of the Week following Monday’s announcement.
The Fishers, Indiana native averaged 8.5 points between UNM’s two wins over UNLV and Utah State, making multiple three-pointers in each game.
In Wednesday’s game, Abdurraqib was instrumental in the fourth quarter, scoring eight consecutive Lobo points in a span of 1:58 to build UNM’s lead from five to 13. With the Lobos holding a 55-50 lead, the freshman made a layup and 35 seconds later grabbed a defensive rebound that led to her making a three-pointer. With 4:06 to play and UNM leading 60-50, Abdurraqib grabbed her third rebound leading to another made three-pointer, giving her double digits in the game.
The Lobo went 3-5 in the fourth quarter and scored 11 points between the third and fourth quarter to lead the Lobos off of the bench for the ninth time this season.
Against Utah State, she recorded two steals and made two three-pointers in the win. After making a three-pointer in the first quarter that put UNM in front by seven, her steal in the second quarter led to a Nayli Padilla three-pointer to stretch the lead to 18, also registering an assist on the play. In the fourth quarter, she grabbed a defensive rebound that led to her three-pointer to push the lead back to 18 points.
As mentioned, Monday marked the second time Abdurraqib was selected MW Freshman of the Week with the other on Dec. 8, and the third time a Lobo was selected for the freshman award this season.
On the season, Abdurraqib is averaging 8.0 points per game with seven games scoring double figures, and has made 42 three-pointers, shooting 41.6% from behind the arc. The Lobo is third in the conference in three-pointers per game (1.9). In the 11 conference games, she is averaging 9.5 points per game with 23 three-pointers, shooting 46.1% overall and 41.8% from three-point range. Abdurraqib is also third in the MW in three-pointers per game in conference games at 2.1 per game and has made a three-pointer in all but one conference game.