Fans attending the UNM women's basketball game versus the Houston Flight Wednesday at The Pit got to see something that most fans will probably never see again - star center Jordan Adams coming off the bench.
Adams did not start because she has been suffering through the flu, but at the end of the game, the Flight were the ones sick of Adams because she led the Lobos to an 84-80 victory in the exhibition game.
She scored a team-high 24 points on 8-of-16 shooting, grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked five shots in 27 minutes of play.
"I've always thought I play a little better when I am sick," she said. "I concentrate more and not go out overexcited. I don't mind that I am sick because I know I will be calm and ready."
Adams, who started all 35 games last year, said it was a bit unusual watching the start of the game from the bench.
"I felt down a little bit, but I knew that coach knew I was sick and he wanted me to get better so it didn't discourage me that much," she said. "But it still was a little thing in the back of my mind where I didn't want to be (on the bench)."
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She scored nine straight points in the second half to keep a Flight rally at bay, then turned the game over to freshman point guard Mandi Moore. Moore connected on six straight free throws in the last 1:47 of the game to seal the victory.
"I knew I had to buckle down and make them to stay in the game," she said. "Just to keep us ahead because if I didn't we were in trouble."
Moore, who finished with 11 points, was not the only one hitting her free throws as the team ended up shooting 30-of-34 from the charity stripe.
The Lobos needed all the free throws they could get because they struggled shooting from the field. UNM shot 37.3 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from the 3-point-line on 4-of-11 shooting.
It was evident at times that the game was the first one for the Lobos this year as they struggled keeping possession of the ball, committing 24 turnovers and they played sporadic defense. The Lobos guards specifically, had trouble holding onto the ball. Senior Molly McKinnon, freshman Stephanie Shaw and Moore combined to commit 14 turnovers.
"(The Flight) forced us out of our offense because of they're quickness, they're experience," head coach Don Flanagan said.
However, the Lobos also showed what kind of game they are capable of playing - in streaks. With Adams, McKinnon and three freshmen on the floor in Moore, Shaw and forward Lindsey Arndt, the Lobos exploded for a 16-2 run right before the half to lead 40-33 at the half. The five players on the floor started creating numerous turnovers and generating them into easy baskets.
The start of the second half was more of the same for the Lobos, opening the half outscoring the Flight 17-9 to create their biggest lead of the game at 57-42 with 13 minutes left.
"Once we adjusted to the speed of the game, I thought we defended pretty well," Flanagan said. "When we adjusted to their individual skills we contested their shots fairly well."
However, UNM could not contain guard Tamicha Jackson of Houston. She scored a game-high 28 points and gave the UNM guards fits with her quick feet and hands.
Jackson had seven of her nine steals in the second half, turning most of them into easy baskets to catapult her team back into the game. The Flight finished with 14 steals.
Houston went on a 12-2 run during the next two minutes to close the gap on the Lobos and briefly took the lead minutes later 70-68. Adams, frustrated after missing a couple of easy baskets during the Houston run, took over. She scored nine straight points, many of them on her patented hook shots to give UNM a five point lead and Moore hit some clutch free throws down the stretch.
"It seemed like there was a lid over the basket; I don't know what it was," Adams said. "I just knew I had to concentrate a little bit more on those close shots. I just had to make sure I finished."
McKinnon chipped in with 14 points and with her slashing drives to the basket, got to the free throw line 10 times, making eight of them. UNM dominated the boards, snatching a 51-36 advantage to create several second chance opportunities.
At the beginning of the game, UNM looked sloppy and had trouble hitting the rim on the offensive end. Thanks to the Lobos inept play in the early going, the Flight led 9-4 early, with all the points from Jackson. UNM stayed close by creating some turnovers. Adams checked in four minutes into the game and scored six straight points. The Flight, a team from the National Women's Basketball League, finished shooting 44 percent for the game, but connected on only 17-of-27 from the charity stripe for 63 percent.
As for sitting on the bench for the opening tip, don't expect to see Adams on the bench again.
"Oh no, not anymore," she said. "I hope not unless I really piss off coach, and I wouldn't want to do that."
UNM's final exhibition game is Saturday at 4 p.m. against an international team named the Denmark Select at The Pit.
