UNM looks to avenge last year's trouncing

When the UNM women's basketball team played the Texas Longhorns last season, they lost by almost as many points as they scored.

They put up 47 and lost by 45.

Mandi Moore said this year's team has some work to do to save face when the Lobos take on the Longhorns on Saturday at The Pit.

"Those of us who were here last year have something to prove," the senior guard said. "We went there, and they just stomped all over us. We are going to give them a good effort."

UNM is fresh off an impressive second-half performance against Gonzaga, in which the Lobos came back from two points down at halftime to win 76-54.

The Lobos enter the game with a four-game winning streak to start the season, while Texas has been all over the map after only five games.

The Longhorns were dropped by No. 5 Georgia and No. 25 UCLA, but they also downed No. 4 Tennessee.

In the CBS national poll, the Longhorns were one of only three teams to receive a first-place vote.

"Our offense is coming around," Lobo head coach Don Flanagan said. "I like what we did in our first four games. Now Texas can make you look bad, like they did to us last year. We'll see what happens."

UNM does have one past experience it can dwell on that is a bit more positive than last year's shellacking.

Two years ago at The Pit, the Lobos handed a Texas team ranked No. 17 in the country a 77-70 loss.

There's also more good news from the past UNM can rely on. Three of this season's starters - Mandi Moore, Lindsey Arndt and Abbie Letz - were all part of that giant slayer two years ago.

The bench might be a spot to look to for help considering a player from it has led the team in scoring in every game.

Sophomore Katie Montgomery led the team in scoring in three of the Lobos' four games. Freshman Dionne Marsh had her coming out party against Gonzaga, lighting up the Bulldogs for 20 points on 12-for-15 shooting from the free-throw line to go along with nine rebounds.

Moore said the progress of this year's team is humming along nicely, something that could be very helpful come Saturday.

"We're doing a great job," she said. "I'm proud of our team."

The Longhorns return four starters from last year's team that reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. That doesn't bode well for the Lobos, but Flanagan said he's stoked to be playing the one of the top programs in the country.

"We scheduled Texas for a purpose," he said. "They're the best team in the West. I think they're like that again and could be the best in the country."

UNM Lobos vs. Texas Longhorns

Where: The Pit

When: Saturday, 2 p.m.

TV: WB 19

Radio: 610 AM The Sports

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