The UNM women's basketball team could not contain University of Nevada at Las Vegas point guard Constance Jinks again as she scored 29 points to help defeat the Lobos 72-60.
The Lobos held a 13-point halftime lead at the Thomas & Mack Center, but could not handle the pressure defense of the Rebels. UNLV swept the season series against the Lobos, winning in The Pit 62-53 Jan. 6 behind a game-high 25 points by Jinks.
Jinks scored 22 of her points in the second half after the Rebels trailed 38-25. She led a 22-8 run during the first seven minutes of the second half to get UNLV back into the game.
UNM could not stop Jinks and her teammates, as the Rebels shot a stellar 46 percent from the floor and hit 16-of-18 free throws to stave off the Lobos.
The loss dropped the Lobos to 15-5, 3-2 in the Mountain West Conference, placing them in a second place tie with UNLV (16-3, 4-2).
The game looked like a runaway early in favor of UNM, as the Lobos came out firing in the first half. UNM shot a blistering 57 percent from the floor and out-rebounded the Rebels 20-9. The defense was also working as it helped shut down Jinks and UNLV's leading scorer Linda Frohlich to build what seemed like a comfortable 13-point halftime lead. Frohlich came into the game averaging 21 points a game, but UNM held her to 11.
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However, as well as the Lobos played in the first half, the second half was a different story. The Rebels outscored UNM 47-22 in the last 20 minutes and forced 19 Lobo turnovers. Although the Lobos shot 47 percent for the game, they could not overcome Jinks' speed.
Sophomore forward Melissa Forest led UNM with 16 points and junior forward Chelsea Grear chipped in with 15.
The Lobos next game is at home against 19th-ranked Colorado State University Thursday at 7 p.m.
Staff Report
