The UNM women's basketball team used an early second half run to earn an important victory 71-64 against Brigham Young University on the road Saturday.
Leading 30-24 at halftime, the Lobos went on a 13-5 run early in the second half to build a comfortable 43-29 lead. BYU (16-7, 7-4) battled back to within six points with less than two minutes remaining, but UNM rallied to earn the victory.
With the win, the Lobos improve their record to 19-6, 8-3 in the Mountain West Conference. They also remain in third place in the conference, tied with the University of Nevada at Las Vegas (8-3), but the Rebels hold onto second by virtue of their season sweep of UNM. Colorado State University leads the conference at 9-2, maintaining a one-game lead over the Rebels and UNM.
The Lobos were led by a balanced attack with four players scoring in double figures and three finishing with double-doubles. Junior center Jordan Adams had a game-high 18 points and 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season. Junior forward Chelsea Grear also earned her third double-double of the season with a team-high 11 rebounds to go with 12 points. Freshman point guard Mandi Moore joined the double-double club by scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. She also chipped in with eight assists. Freshman forward Lindsey Arndt also paced the Lobos by finishing with 11 points.
The first half was close the entire 20 minutes as both teams stayed within striking distance of each other. BYU held an early 8-2 lead, its biggest of the game, but UNM would come back as the teams traded baskets for much of the half. The Lobos sneaked out to a six-point halftime lead at 30-24.
Three players finished in double-figures for the Cougars, led by Danielle Cheesman with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
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UNM will play its final home game of the season Saturday at 1 p.m. against San Diego State University. It will also be the final home game for the Lobos' lone senior, Molly McKinnon.
Also in the Mountain West: League leaders Colorado State bounced back from a loss at UNLV Thursday with a win at San Diego State University Saturday. Jackie Campbell and Joy Jenkins shared game-high scoring honors with 15 points each off the bench in the victory over SDSU.
The Rebels, who are ahead of UNM in conference standings, are on a three-game win streak, including an upset over No. 15 Colorado State.
Constance Jinks recorded her first double-double of the season with 22 points and 10 rebounds against the Rams. All-American Linda Frîhlich returned to the lineup against the University of Wyoming Saturday, scoring a team-high 18 points, securing a 20-win season for the Rebels.
Staff Report
