The bigger you are, the harder you fall.
That saying is probably foreign to UNM freshman Jasmine Patterson.
Patterson, who is listed at a generous 5-feet 7-inches in the Lobos’ media guide, looks even shorter when standing next to opposing post players as she did Saturday when the UNM women’s basketball team faced much-taller California.
The Golden Bears listed seven players at 6 feet or taller.
But that doesn’t bother Patterson. She knows she’s never going to be the biggest player on the court.
“Because I’m not the tallest player out there, I usually have to rely on my speed,” she said. “I know I’m not going to out-rebound another player, so I try to out-hustle them — beat them to every ball.”
Patterson’s hustle equated to 11 first-half points Saturday, helping the Lobos jump out to a 29-15 halftime lead.
But the Lobos’ spark plug from Amarillo, Texas, has done it throughout UNM’s first three games.
She averaged nine points coming off the bench.
Head coach Don Flanagan said Patterson filled her role nicely.
“With (Jasmine), she is just learning,” he said. “I have to spot-play her. I’m just hoping we continue to get that kind of quality minutes in short bursts from her in the future.”
Offensively, Patterson’s no-fear mentality shines, and she is not afraid to shoot the long ball or drive to the basket.
That’s something Flanagan said her underclassmen teammates should note.
“When we start running an offense … she’s one of those players that drives,” he said. “And it doesn’t matter who is in her way. She’s just going to go.”
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While other freshmen players are intimidated to shoot, Patterson fires away.
“I like penetrating to the goal,” Patterson said. “If a taller player is in front of me, I have to pull up and just shoot the ball. It’s that simple.”
But Patterson said she is dedicated to mastering defensive concepts and pestering opposing point guards.
“I’m working to improve my defense,” she said. “Coach wants me to stay on the other team’s point guard and try to force turnovers.”
The plan paid off Saturday as Patterson notched two steals, and the Lobos forced 20 turnovers.
Flanagan said he has high hopes for the freshman standout.
“She’s going to be a really good player down the line for us,” he said. “Just give her some more time.”
