It was far from pretty for the UNM women’s basketball team, but a gorgeous result nonetheless.
In a battle of Mountain West Conference cellar dwellers, the Lobos clawed their way back from a nine-point, second-half deficit to defeat Air Force 64-59 on Wednesday at The Pit.
“Air Force is a much-improved team,” head coach Don Flanagan said. “They are coming off a big win this week at TCU. They were really inspired. They played with a lot of energy and intensity.”
With the win, UNM is now 2-6 in conference and in a four-way tie for last place with Air Force, San Diego State and UNLV halfway through the MWC schedule.
UNM trailed for 39 minutes, but freshman guard Jasmine Patterson drove to the lane with 1:03 remaining to put the Lobos up for the first time in the game, 60-59.
On the other end of the court, senior Amanda Best came up with a clutch steal and was immediately fouled. Two insurance free throws by Best, a steal by Patterson and a layup by junior forward Porsche Torrance sealed the victory for the Lobos.
“We are just happy with a win,” Best said. “Our defense wasn’t very good tonight. It was pretty stagnate. We let them put in too many baskets.”
Air Force shot 41 percent from the field, including 47 percent from long range. But it was Rio Rancho native Megan Muniz who was unstoppable offensively, hitting 4-of-5 treys and finishing with a game-high 16 points for the Falcons.
“I’m very disappointed,” Air Force head coach Andrea Williams said. “We were in cruise control. I thought we should’ve been at the free throw line a little bit more. … That’s a tough one to swallow when your kids did a lot of things right.”
For the first time this season, UNM shot above 50 percent from the field, hitting 24-of-46 shots during the game. But the Lobos couldn’t take care of the basketball, committing 21 turnovers and giving up 11 offensive boards.
Senior post Jessica Kielpinski sat on the bench in foul trouble, the Lobos had a tough time getting the ball into the paint and had to play with small forwards to combat the Falcons’ fast offense.
“We didn’t play with any beauty at all,” Flanagan said. “That’s the way that we play. … Our offense slows up at times, and I wonder what offense we are in sometimes.”
Best posted a team-high 15 points to go along with eight assists and nine rebounds in 40 minutes of play to lead the way for UNM.
“That’s a heck of a night for anyone,” Flanagan said. “I think that was her best game. She has a little bout with the flu, and I never took her out.”
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Three other Lobos scored in double digits. Senior forward Jessica Kielpinski had 13 points, junior guard Lauren Taylor posted 11, and junior forward Porche Torrance had 10.
“Air Force always has a lot of energy,” Best said. “They fight hard for rebounds, and they hustle. They are a hustle team, and they gave us a run tonight.”
Women’s basketball at Wyoming
Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Laramie, Wyo.
