On nights where New Mexico’s offense needs a spark, UNM turns to its defense to get the job done.
The Lobos started off slow in the 70-48 win over Southern Utah on Friday night, but as head coach Yvonne Sanchez switched to a pressure style of defense, the Lobos picked things up.
“I thought our energy level wasn’t where I liked it to be,” Sanchez said regarding the sluggish play out of the gates. “Any time you get like a full-court press or man-full… I thought that got us started a little bit. We got some steals and some easy baskets.”
The pressure allowed for UNM to get into the flow of the game. Although the offense remained dormant, the defense kept New Mexico afloat for the entirety of the game.
Even with a 37.3 percent shooting night, the Lobos were able to force 25 turnovers and only committing 12 of their own. UNM only managed 15 assists on the squad’s 22 of 59 shooting night, but was plenty to overcome the winless Thunderbirds (0-5).
Senior forward Khadijah Shumpert provided the Lobos with the most offense, tying the game-high 14 points. However, she said it was the team’s ability to stick to the defensive game plan that allowed New Mexico to finish victorious.
“It was a matter of trying to keep them from shooting the 3s and also from keeping them getting inside,” Shumpert said. “That’s what we focused on and that’s what we did.”
Sophomore Kenya Pye put together a career night on the night fueled by defense. She collected her career high four boards and six points while hitting the only 3-pointer she attempted. The guard said the turnaround came when the Lobos fell to New Mexico State 78-59 on November 17.
Although the team allowed Sacramento State to come into WisePies Arena with a 71 point effort, the Lobos (4-1) only loss of the season was against in-state rival NMSU.
“We just decided to dig it in defense. That was gonna be the thing that helped us win games,” Pye said. “Ever since State, I think we knew we were a better defensive team and we showed that.”
Defensively, Sanchez saw her squad getting sloppy and called an animated timeout after two poor defensive possessions. New Mexico was in complete control of the game at that point with only 3:12 to play, but the head coach said she ensured to make it a point that sluggish play on defense would not suffice.
“The tone of the timeout was basically, ‘let them hit another three and you guys are going to be running a lot in practice,’” Pye said. “When she said that, we were like ‘dang, we really have to dig in and not let them have anymore 3’s.’”
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It appeared the message was taken as the Lobos only allowed one basket the remainder of the contest.
The Lobos will face off against Duquesne (4-1) tonight in the championship game of the UNM Thanksgiving Tournament at 4 p.m. The Lobos are well aware that the squad has not won the home tournament since before Sanchez took the reins as head coach.
Duquesne beat North Carolina A&T on Friday night by an 81-67 final count.
“I know that we haven’t won it since 2009,” Shumpert said. “So this is a really big deal and I think we have a shot. And I think we’re going to take it.”
Liam Cary-Eaves is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at assistantsports@dailylobo.com or on twitter @Liam_CE.
