Sitting at about 7,220 feet above sea level, the University of Wyoming is one of the toughest places in the country to play, with the highest altitude gym in Division I. The Lobos all- time are 15-27 in Laramie, and are 4-4 under Head Coach Mike Bradbury when visiting Wyoming.
But on Wednesday, Feb. 4, the Lobo Women’s basketball team threw those stats aside and put Wyoming to the test, surging past the Cowgirls in the second quarter to take control of the game, and winning 58-51.
Sophomore guard Nayli Padilla helped spur the Lobos to victory, scoring 13 points, going five of eight from the field, three of five from the three and chipping in for two assists. Three Lobos were able to score in the double figures and the bench contributed 29 points, leading to a balanced offensive performance.
When the game started, momentum swung like a pendulum ,as both teams would trade runs but by the end of the first quarter. Wyoming was able to edge out UNM 11-10, but both teams were unable to connect at a high level — UNM shot 27% from the field and 22% from three, compared to Wyoming’s 35% from the field and 13% from three in the first quarter.
When the second quarter came around the Lobos outscored the Cowgirls 19-8, createing a hill Wyoming was unable to climb.
UNM scored 26 points of their total points in the paint, a presence which has been vital to the Lobos being able to knock down threes due to forwards Emma Najjuma and Jessie Joaquim collapsing the defense.
The third quarter saw the Cowgirls pick up the pace offensively, going 56% from the field and 20% from three, but it wasn’t enough. The Lobos outscored the Cowgirls for the second consecutive quarter 17-14, as Padilla was able to score eight points in the quarter, stunting the Cowgirls momentum.
Wyoming was finally able to outscore the Lobos in the fourth and final quarter, but the Cowgirls had already let the game slip out of reach. Despite outscoring UNM 18-12 in the final quarter, it wasn’t enough to mount a real shot at a comeback.
The Cowgirls were able to cut their double digit deficit to just eight with nearly three minutes left, but were unable to capitalize, as once again Padilla sunk the dagger into the Cowgirls’ comeback hopes with a vital three and giving the Lobos the ability to run away with a win on the road, 58-51. With the win, the Lobos move to 16-7 and 8-4 in conference play.
The Lobos will remain on the road this week, going up against the Boise State University Broncos on Saturday, Feb. 7.
Wyatt S. Padilla is a beat reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @wyattspadilla
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