sports@dailylobo.com
Slow starts have been troublesome for the New Mexico women’s basketball team this season. Against the University of Miami, it was more of the same.
The Lobos were down at halftime 37-20 and lost 67-50 in the championship game of the Miami Hurricane Tournament on Sunday.
In the first half, UNM hit just 27.6 percent of its shots and had 11 turnovers. Miami took full advantage of UNM’s mistakes and scored 17 points off those turnovers and hit 45.6 percent in the first half.
UNM (5-6) did bounce back in the second half by scoring 30 points, but never came close to threatening Miami. The Hurricanes (8-4) led by as many as 20 points in the final half.
Three Miami players hit double digits in guard Adrienne Motley (18), guard Suriya McGuire (13) and forward Keyona Hayes (12).
Lobo forward Khadijah Shumpert had 12 points to lead UNM and grabbed eight boards.
Miami hit 45 percent from the field compared to just 34 percent for UNM.