Things didn’t go as planned for the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team on Saturday afternoon.
And the absence of junior post Jaisa Nunn surely played its part too. After a disappointing showing in Norman, Oklahoma, UNM (11-1) lost to the Sooners in decisive fashion, 105-63, marking the team’s first loss this season.
In place of Nunn, freshman post Antonia Anderson made her first start of her career. Without Nunn, though, UNM’s offense faltered. In total, the Lobos made 27.4 percent of their shots from the field, compares to Oklahoma’s 47.1 percent shooting performance.
The first quarter wasn’t a pretty one for the Lobos, after leading by seven points nearly three minutes into the game. And, later in the quarter, Oklahoma (5-5) went on a 15-3 run to take a 28-12 first quarter lead.
It wasn’t much different in the second half, as Oklahoma continued to pummel the Lobos. Nearly seven minutes into the frame, the Sooners pulled away by 34 points, but UNM managed to diminish that Oklahoma lead to 31 points by quarter’s end, when Anderson nailed both of her free throws.
Again, in the third, Oklahoma’s lead only grew. Entering the fourth quarter, they had a 52 point lead and by the end of the game, UNM cut their deficit to 42 points, losing the game on the road 105-63.
“That was a tough one all the way around,” Lobo coach Mike Bradbury said, according to a press release. “We were running sets we haven't run that much in game situations and it showed. ... Plus we had a tough time keeping them off the glass. But we will get right back after it.”
For UNM, senior guard Alex Lapeyrolerie led the way with 18 points and seven rebounds, and sophomore guard Mykiel Burleson had 14 points of her own.
The Sooners, on the other hand, saw a handful of players score in double digits. Leading the way, was freshman guard Ana Llanusa, who had a game high 27 points. Senior guard Gabbi Ortiz scored 25 points, and senior center Vionise Pierre-Louis and guard Maddie Manning combined for 30 points.
Oklahoma also outrebounded the Lobos by a wide margin, bringing down 60 board to UNM’s 32.
Up next for the Lobos is a game at home on Wednesday, Dec. 20, as they take on Lamar at 7 p.m.
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Matthew Narvaiz is a senior sports reporter for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers men’s and women’s basketball, and baseball. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @matt_narvaiz.
