The New Mexico women’s basketball team had trouble closing out the Netherlands national team in its first loss of the Italy exhibition tour. The team has dropped to 2-1 following a 53-44 loss to the Dutch squad.
Head Coach Yvonne Sanchez said she is not concerned with the loss because she is playing everyone in order to get a feel for everyone’s role on the team.
“You can tell they’re a very good team, and they practice year-round,” Sanchez said. “It’s a good experience for us. Again, I’m going to play everybody to see what kind of roles people are going to fill (this season).”
Although the Lobos had a three-point lead in the fourth quarter, UNM couldn’t regroup after Netherlands went on a 14-0 run.
Sanchez added that the team is still on a learning curve, but the squad is getting a feel for one another in an unusual early start to the preseason.
“The kids are learning. It was good to take away the positive things we’ve done. Obviously, we have a lot of things we have to work on. But it’s August. That’s the way we want to play in February or March – like them (Netherlands),” Sanchez said.
Forward Khadijah Shumpert scored a team-high 13 points.
UNM will get a rematch with the Netherlands national team on Wednesday.
Liam Cary-Eaves is a sports reporter for the Daily Lobo. Contact him at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Liam_CE.
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