The UNM women's basketball team started the season on a positive note Tuesday night at The Pit with a 67-56 win over the West Coast All-Stars.
The exhibition game debuted many new faces, including new assistant coach Mike Terry.
Head coach Don Flanagan announced Terry's addition to the team Tuesday.
"We're excited to have him as part of our program," Flanagan said. "We like his personality, we like what he brings us and I think we'll have good chemistry."
Terry came to UNM after building a prominent national high school program in North Palm Beach, Fla.
The All-Stars got on the scoreboard first but senior forward Melissa Forest topped the All-Stars' two points with a 3-pointer from the top of the key.
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Former Mountain West Conference nemesis Constance Jinks, who graduated from UNLV last year, was able to keep the All-Stars in the game in the opening minutes, but a lay up from freshman point guard Katie Montgomery put the Lobos on an early roll. Montgomery went on to tally nine points in the first half and led UNM at intermission.
"Some people disappointed me," Flanagan said. "But I was particularly happy with the two freshman."
Fellow freshman Fatima Maddox joined Forest, junior Lindsey Ardnt, sophomore Abbie Letz and junior Mandi Moore in the starting lineup.
With Maddox taking over the point guard position, Moore was able to get open to take more shots.
"It's nice not having the pressure to bring it down," Moore said. "Now I can share it with Katie and Fatima and they did really well. Anybody can step into the role."
Moore did not pass up opportunities to score and she hardly missed a shot. She hit seven of 11 field goals including four from the perimeter to lead all scores with her 19 points.
"I feel good with my shot," Moore said. "It's feeling natural right now."
After building a 20-point lead early in the second half, the Lobos advantage dwindled to only eight points with 1:20 remaining.
Maddox played aggressively, drew a series of fouls and hit five crucial free throws to keep UNM ahead.
Forest sealed the victory with a pair of free throws in the final 10 seconds.
The Lobos will play their final exhibition game Saturday against the Houston Flight before opening regular season play on Nov. 21 against USC.
Tip off against the Flight is slated for 7 p.m. at The Pit.
