Texas can't surpass UNM

by Dorian McKenzie

Daily Lobo

The Texas Longhorns came to The Pit looking for revenge against the UNM women's basketball team.

They didn't find it.

After UNM upset the Longhorns on the road last year, Texas made it close late in the game Friday, but the No. 23 Lobos held on to beat the No. 25 Longhorns 63-60.

UNM head coach Don Flanagan said the win will help the Lobos in future big games.

"This is one of those wins that, long term, gives you some hope to go to the NCAA Tournament," he said. "Short term, it gives our younger people some confidence and our older people confidence to play the way we're capable of playing. I thought we, especially in the first half, played a

great game."

Senior guard Julie Briody said the Lobos were prepared for the Longhorns.

"We knew that Texas was going to be a very tough team," she said. "We knew that they were going to come in and look for revenge. We took care of business."

Junior Dionne Marsh led the Lobos with 20 points, and she went 10-for-13 from the free-throw line. Briody did her share, scoring 18 points and tying her career high with eight rebounds.

Marsh said the Longhorns were a welcome challenge for

the Lobos.

"They just push you to play hard," she said. "Any good defensive team makes you want to work hard, and it makes the game more fun."

UNM controlled most of the game early, but Texas surged in the second half and was within three points with 10 seconds left. However, Marsh came out to the perimeter to help defend against Erika Arriaran's 3-point attempt, which fell short.

Flanagan said Marsh played well when it mattered most.

"I thought Dionne did a great job of switching out," he said. "She should have jumped out a little bit sooner, but that was a nice play."

The Lobos got off to a fast start, holding a 16-6 lead with 13:38 left in the first half. After making 14 of its first 15 free throws, UNM led by as much as 18 points in the first 20 minutes and went to the locker room with a 37-22 lead.

Coming into the second half, the Longhorns chipped away at the UNM lead. Texas got within single digits at 56-47 with less than five minutes remaining.

The Lobos struggled to hit shots and did not score a field goal in the final 8:33 of the game. UNM's final nine points came from the free-throw line.

Flanagan said he was pleased with the way his team played in the first half.

"I was happy with a 15-point cushion," he said. "I just wish we had been a little bit more effective in the second half."

Texas had a big advantage in the post, outscoring UNM 38-14 in the paint. However, the Lobos held the Longhorns to just 23 percent shooting in the first half in order to build the big lead.

Despite the Longhorns' size, UNM outrebounded them 42-34.

Flanagan said the victory over the Longhorns was huge.

"It was a good win for the program," he said. "It was a good win for the conference, and most of all, it was a good win for

this team."

Women's

Basketball VS. Georgia

Southern

Thursday

8 p.m.

The Pit